Our eyesight isn’t always the first thing we think of in terms of our health. In fact, most people don’t see an eye doctor until they develop an infection or when things start to get fuzzy. Sight is the most acute sense that we have, and if we don’t take care of it, we could lose our wonderful ability to see. Our vision often leads us to where we go, what we do, and how we think. We must take care of our eyes best we can, and these are some things we should keep in mind if we want to keep seeing.

Quit smoking! Smoking is linked to age-related macular degeneration.

Don’t abuse alcohol. Alcohol overuse harms the liver making it harder for the liver to convert beta-carotene to Vitamin A, an important eye health vitamin.

Eat green, leafy vegetables and dark fruits that are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to prevent macular degeneration.

Visit your eye doctor every two years for an exam. One of the main problems we face with our eyes as we age is a cataract. It is estimated that around 42% of Americans between the ages of 52-64 have a cataract, but only 5% of those have actual vision loss .  A regular eye appointment can spot and treat problems before they become increasingly damaging.

Protect your eyes from direct sunlight, by wearing sunglasses or a hat with a brim. Although sunlight is most effective in the summer, it is more harmful to the eyes when reflected off water, snow, or pavement because the rays are then intensified. And unfortunately, 3.2 million people go blind every year from eye conditions that are caused due to over-exposure to sunlight and UV rays.

It may seem like a lot of things can happen to your eyes, but don’t worry! As long as you keep taking care of them and follow the steps outlined above, you’ll decrease your risk of issues in the future.

Posted by National Wellness Institute