When we think about our health, rarely do we consider our eyes which are vital to our lives and everything we experience. I will share with you today some of the things that are part of our daily life that damage your eyes. It is important to be aware of these risks to maintain good eye health and prevent problems with your vision.
As we age our eyesight can worsen with conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Annual eye exams can identify these issues early and treat them. Health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure if not controlled can lead to eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy. These conditions damage the blood vessels in the retina and can lead to blindness if not managed properly. While in nursing school I saw this happen with one of my instructors. She was diabetic and despite her knowledge refused to maintain healthy blood sugars, before I graduated she was blind.
Certain medications including some steroids, antihistamines, and antidepressants have side effects that can cause dry eye, glaucoma, or cataracts. If you take these medications regularly, you should have regular eye exams to monitor for potential damage to your vision.
How often have you rubbed your eyes with dirty hands? That little habit can lead to infections in your eyes from bacteria. If you wear glasses you should clean them regularly and have a yearly eye examination to determine any changes in your vision. Contact lenses are used by many to change their eye color but regular cleaning is crucial to prevent eye infections. Outdated lenses can cause eye strain leading to headaches and vision problems.
Summertime is beach time we use sunscreen to prevent the effects of ultraviolet (UV) on our skin, but eye protection is just as important. UV rays can cause sunburn to our eyes and may lead to problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Over time both of these conditions can cause impaired vision or vision loss. Protecting your eyes when in high UV environments is crucial.
This is the digital age and increased screen time can strain your eyes causing a condition known as digital eye strain. Symptoms are dry eyes, irritation blurred vision, and headaches. My 9-year-old granddaughter spends a lot of time on her phone and tablet playing games and watching videos. She started having blurred vision and now wears glasses. A good habit to break your screen time is the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It effectively reduces eye strain.
To maintain good eyesight, a diet full of vitamins and minerals is important to prevent eye disease. Nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to eye health. Leafy green vegetables, fish like salmon and mackerel, and nuts contain these nutrients. Deficits in these nutrients can cause night blindness and more severe conditions when not addressed. Drinking plenty of water helps to maintain hydration levels important to eye moisture. Adding fruits or herbs to your water makes it more palatable.
Smoking and excessive alcohol use cause damage to your eyes. Smoking can cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The chemicals in cigarettes can damage eye tissue leading to loss of vision. It also reduces the health of blood vessels which increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy in diabetics. To reduce these risks and maintain healthy eyes stop smoking!
Chronic alcohol use may lead to a reduction in the quality of your vision leading to impaired color perception and in severe cases toxic optic neuropathy. A condition that damages the optic nerve leading to vision loss. Moderation in alcohol use and regular eye exams are necessary to monitor vision changes.
Getting enough sleep is vital for eye health. Not getting enough sleep can cause eye irritation, dryness, and a decrease in blink rate, which are important for keeping the eyes lubricated. Inadequate sleep over time can lead to dry eye syndrome and impair the eye’s ability to repair and regenerate.
The bottom line is to take care of your eyes, make an appointment once a year to assess your eye health and address any issues early to prevent vision loss.
Until next time,
Peace, Love, and Blessings ❤️
