Eyecare Associates recommends these 10 Steps to Prevent Vision Loss. Most people aren’t aware that 75% of potential vision loss can be prevented or treated. This largely depends on patients being proactive and educated about their eye health. Here are 10 important steps to protect and preserve your precious eyesight.
- Regularly have your eyes checked: For a number of eye diseases, early detection and treatment is critical to success in saving your vision. Many conditions – such as diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma – have minimal or no symptoms, particularly in the early stages. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is sometimes the only way to detect eye disease early enough to save your sight and prevent vision loss.
- Know your family history: A number of eye diseases involve genetic risk factors, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Be aware of the incidence of eye disease in your family and if you do have a family history make sure to be monitored regularly by a trusted eye doctor.
- Wear sunglasses: Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from sunlight is associated with a higher risk of AMD and cataracts. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection year round, any time you are outdoors. It’s worthwhile to invest in a pair of quality sunglasses which will have UV protection that lasts, as well as better glare protection and optics.
- Eat healthy: Diet plays a large role in eye health, especially certain nutrients such as antioxidants, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals found in leafy green and orange vegetables. Keep your diet low in fat and sugar and high in nutrients and you can reduce your risk of developing AMD or diabetes, two of the leading causes of blindness.
- Stop smoking: Smokers are four times more likely to develop AMD.
- Wear eye protection: If you play sports, use power tools or work with dangerous equipment or chemicals, make sure to wear proper safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from injury. Never take risks as many permanent eye injuries happen within seconds.
- Manage diabetes: If you have diabetes or hyperglycemia, manage your blood sugar levels to reduce the risks of diabetic retinopathy.
- Limit alcohol intake: Heavy drinking is associated with higher risks of developing cataracts and AMD.
- Exercise: Yet another benefit of regular physical activity is eye health including reduced risk of AMD.
- Educate yourself: Below is some basic information about four of the most common vision impairing eye conditions.
10 steps to prevent vision loss is very important. Your best treatment for eye problems is prevention. If it has been over a year since your last eye exam call Eyecare Associates of Lees Summit today and schedule an exam with one of our doctors. Our phone number is 816-524-8900 and we are conveniently located at 221 NW McNary Court on the north side of Chipman Road. We have the most up to date equipment diagnose and treat most eye diseases and some of the finest eye doctors in the region.
