PROTECT YOUR EYES

It’s easy to take your vision for granted – but it’s not difficult to maintain eye health. Try these tips to protect your eyes.

Many eye diseases & disorders can be prevented or corrected if they are caught early. Not only do regular visits to your eye doctor help ensure an early diagnosis, but you can also get an up-to-date prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Children should have their eyes examined at six months old, three years old, before the first grade & then every two years until their eighteenth birthday. Adults between the ages of 18 & 40 should have their eyes checked every two to three years, 41 to 60 years old require an exam every two years, adults over 60 should have an annual eye exam.

Not only is it important to see your eye doctor for routine visits, but you should also know the warning signs that might necessitate a more immediate visit. Call your eye doctor if you have difficulty adjusting to light or dark, trouble focusing, unusual sensitivity, a change in the color of the iris or lids, pain double vision, dark spots of halos, dry or watery eyes, flashes of light, or loss of peripheral vision.

Don’t let contact lens put your eye health at risk. To avoid problems like irritated eyes, fuzzy vision, paid & discomfort, be sure to always wash your hands before handling your contact. Also be sure to do the following: Clean & store your lenses only in fresh solution, replace your contacts as directed & remove your contacts before swimming or entering a hot tub.

If you spend countless hours staring at a computer screen, you may be at risk for developing computer vision syndrome (CVS). The symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision & dry eyes. If your are bound to your computer , take these precautions: Set the center of your computer screen 4 to 5 inches below eye level & 20 to 28 inches away from your eyes. Reduce glare by using lower-wattage light bulbs overhead & closing curtains. Finally try to blink more often & rest 15 minutes after every two hours of computer use.

The recommendation that carrots are good for your eyes has some truth. That’s because carrots contain the carotenoids lutein & zeaxanthin, which are naturally found in the eyes & which can help ward off cataracts & macular degeneration. Recent studies have found that foods rich in antioxidants can reduce your risk of developing age-related eye disease & cataracts. Boost your intake of antioxidants by eating foods containing vitamins C & E. Papaya, cantaloupe, strawberries, oranges & grapefruit are excellent sources of vitamin C, while vitamin E is found in almonds, sunflower seeds & leafy greens.