Protect your vision!
Don’t get “blindsided”. Your eyes are an important part of your health and need to be cared for. As we age, vision changes can be expected. There may be a shift on how your eyes focus or you may need more light to read or drive. Even though minor changes in vision are a normal part of aging, many vision impairments are preventable and treatable.
Eat right to protect your sight. You may have heard that carrots are good for your eyes, but actually it’s the dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collards that help lower your risk for long-term eye diseases. Research has also shown there are benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or tuna.
Lose the weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other comorbidities, that lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. Eat a healthy diet and exercise to help burn excess body fat.
Stabilize your blood sugars. Ninety percent of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable. To help protect your eyesight practice the “ABCs”.
A1c: Lower your A1c naturally by choosing low glycemic foods and reducing your sugar intake.
Blood pressure: Manage your blood pressure by reducing sodium, alcohol, and stress. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Cholesterol: Swap saturated fats such as butter, greasy meats, and full-fat dairy for healthier unsaturated fats such as olive oil, nuts/seeds, and fish.
The 20-20-20 rule: One easy exercise to remember is the 20-20-20 rule. When you're on a computer or looking at a screen, take a break every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, by looking into the distance at an object that's 20 feet away or further.
Start with some supplements. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in the human retina that shield the eyes from damage by blue light and sunlight, improve visual acuity, and protect from harmful reactive oxygen. Lutein is known to improve or even prevent age-related macular disease which is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment. To keep your eyes in tip-top shape, ask about our new eye health supplement “OcuView” which is available to purchase in our office.