Here’s a list of tips to consider when trying to stay vigilant about sustaining your vision – which some may find they’re unconsciously already doing!

1. We all remember our mothers telling us to eat all of our carrots at dinner time, but do carrots really improve vision?  According to health officials, the answer is ‘no, not unless you have a severe vitamin A deficiency’; but surprisingly there are other foods that can help fight against age-related eye degradation.  Studies have shown that nutrient rich green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach may deter vision problems in the long run due to their high vitamin content. Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon are also found to be beneficial. In any event, regulating a healthy diet with added physical activity makes a person less likely to have obesity related diseases like type 2 diabetes (which is the leading cause of blindness in adults).  

2. Mom had it right though when it came to taking a break from the TV (or sitting too close to the tube for long periods of time).  These days, most of us sit in front of our computer monitors for the majority of the day, which isn’t all that different from staring for hours on end at the TV.  Staring at a computer screen can cause eyestrain and blurry vision, making it difficult to focus at a distance.  Focusing too long can dry out the eyes and cause headaches.

You can combat this by taking a short break for a few minutes for every hour that you’re working. Positioning your monitor so that the top of the monitor is at eye level helps because looking slightly down at the screen reduces eye strain. If you wear corrective lenses make sure your prescription is up-to-date.  

3. Go outdoors!  It’s ok to let your eyes adjust to outside sunlight but if you plan on staying outdoors for a prolonged period of time, don’t forget to wear a pair of sunglasses that have a high UVA and UVB protection.  Staying out in the sun for long hours without protection can lead to a type of cataracts which is cause by extra pigmentation from the sun. Macular degeneration is also known to be a result of prolonged sun exposure. Be careful when choosing your eyewear! Most cheap sunglasses offer little to no protection at all and more often than not, you’ll just have to take the manufacturer’s word for it. If there is no mention of UV protection, don’t put your eyes at risk – no matter how great those glasses look on you!

 4. Visit your doctor for regular check ups. This ensures that you’ll have the most up-to-date prescription and knowledge about your eyes’ needs.  There are several eye specialists that can provide a number of different services; Optometrists are trained specifically to determine and improve visual perception through prescription glasses, contacts, and multifocal glasses. Ophthalmologists provide total eye care, from examinations and vision correction to the diagnosis and treatment of disease through medication and surgery. Visiting your optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam once every year is very beneficial.

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