March is National Save Your Vision Awareness Month, serving as an important time to step back and refresh on key ways to promote eye health. From simple steps you can take every day, to scheduling your comprehensive eye exam, here are 5 tips to save your vision.
1. Break Up with Screen Time
We know it’s not entirely realistic, especially when so much of our day-to-day lives are now conducted via screens, but breaks are incredibly important! We recommend following the 20-20-20 rule established by the American Optometric Association (AOA) – for every 20 minutes you have been staring at a screen, look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away.
Breaks from screen time are also a great way to promote other healthy behaviors. Use a screen time break to walk around the block, get a healthy snack, or drink a glass of water. These will have lasting benefits as well!
2. Keep It Moving
Regular exercise has many health benefits, and vision is no exception. Even low to moderate levels of exercise can improve blood flow and the overall health of our bodies. Prioritization of consistent exercise – at least 30 minutes a day – can also help prevent or delay serious eye diseases, including glaucoma.
What are some low-impact exercises to consider? Here’s a list of some favorites:
- Daily walks
- Yoga
- Biking
- Hiking
- Elliptical
- Dancing
3. Eat Your Greens…and Reds, Oranges and Yellows
Good nutrition plays an important role in eye health and the state of your vision. Recent research has also indicated that there may be certain vitamins and nutrients that can help reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the main cause of symptoms and blindness in glaucoma patients.
Here are some of the many foods to consider in a well-balanced diet:
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Pomegranates
- Corn
- Spinach
- Egg
4. Pop on Some Shades
Spending time outdoors and enjoying safe exposure to sunlight has health benefits, but prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) can raise your risk for developing eye problems and diseases. Common eye conditions that can be caused by damage from UV light exposure include cataracts, eye and eyelid cancer, eye growths (pterygium) and eye “sunburn” (photokeratitis).
Remember that your sunglasses are just as important as sunblock. Before you head out to the pool or a day of hiking with the family, make sure you’ve packed sunglasses with 100% UV or UV400 protection. Too, UV rays are still beaming down even on cloudy days, so be prepared! Also keep in mind that everyone is at risk, not just adults. Start UV safety habits young by dressing kids with hats and sunglasses outdoors.
5. Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam – Today!
Seeing your eye doctor regularly, as recommended, is an effective way for your eye health to be monitored over time. Exams at regular intervals begin to show patterns or progression of potential vision problem risk factors.
At ReFocus Eye Health, we are committed to ensuring every patient has a comfortable and positive experience. Here’s what you can expect at a comprehensive eye exam with one of our experts:
- Dilation – allows your doctor to view the inside of your eye
- Tonometry – more commonly known as the “puff of air” test, this allows your doctor to detected elevated pressure within the eye – which may indicate glaucoma
- Visual field test – shows your doctor how well you are able to use your side vision
- Visual acuity test – your doctor will ask you to read an eye chart, which helps them determine your ability to see at various distances
We are accepting new patients and would love to see you. Click here to schedule today.