Helpful Tips to Maintaining Strong Vision

May is designated as Healthy Vision Month

Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness. In order to raise awareness, the American Academy of Ophthalmology celebrates Healthy Vision Month every May. At Hawaiian Eye Center, we encourage people to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple yet highly effective tips.

“Many people think eye care is something you only need to worry about when you get older,” shared Dr. Steven Rhee, Medical Director, and head Ophthalmologist at Hawaiian Eye Center. “But in reality, there are a number of vision conditions that can affect people in all stages of life. Taking care of our eyes should always be a priority, like eating healthily and exercising.”

The easiest way to maintain healthy vision is to receive regular comprehensive eye exams. In order to thoroughly examine a patient’s vision, an eye care professional will use drops to dilate and widen the pupils to check for common vision problems and eye diseases. It is the best way to find out if you need glasses or contacts or are in the early stages of any eye-related diseases.

Along with comprehensive eye exams, here are eight simple ways you can stay on top of your vision health:

1. Learn your family’s eye health history. It is important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since some are hereditary.
2. Eat right to protect your sight: In particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Maintain a healthy weight.
4. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs.
5. Quit smoking or never start.
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6. Wear sunglasses that block 99 percent-100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
7. Wash your hands before taking out your contacts and cleanse your contact lenses properly to avoid infection.
8. Practice workplace eye safety.
   Taking care of your eyes will also benefit your overall health. People with vision problems are more likely than those with good vision to have diabetes, poor hearing, heart problems, high blood pressure, lower back pain and strokes, as well as have increased risk for falls, injury and depression.
   In addition to your comprehensive dilated eye exams, visit an eye care professional if you have:
   ● Decreased vision.
   ● Eye pain.
   ● Drainage or redness of the eye.
   ● Double vision.
   ● Diabetes.
   ● Floaters (tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes).
   ● Circles (halos) around light sources; or
   ● If you see flashes of light.