Thanksgiving is a good moment to be grateful for things we usually take for granted, and eyesight is high on that list. Seeing the faces around the table, reading a recipe, watching the game. Here are seven simple habits the National Eye Institute (NEI) recommends to help protect that gift.
1. Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam
NEI calls a dilated eye exam the single best thing you can do for your eye health. Many eye diseases have no early symptoms, so even eyes that feel healthy can have a problem that only an exam will find.
2. Know your family’s eye history
NEI notes that some eye diseases run in families, including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. The holiday table is a natural place to ask relatives what they have been told, and to share it with your eye doctor.
3. Know your other risk factors
Getting older raises the risk of some eye diseases. NEI also lists being overweight, having diabetes or high blood pressure, and being African American, Hispanic or Native American as factors that can raise risk for some conditions.
4. Eat for your eyes
NEI recommends plenty of dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and halibut.
5. Stay active and do not smoke
Physical activity lowers the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can affect the eyes. NEI notes smoking raises the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts and can harm the optic nerve.
6. Protect your eyes
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB, even on cloudy days, and safety glasses or goggles for sports and home repairs.
7. Rest your eyes and care for your contacts
NEI suggests the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Contact lens wearers should always wash hands before handling lenses and disinfect and replace them as directed.
None of these habits are complicated. Choosing one or two this holiday season is a small way to say thank you to your eyes.
Source: Keep Your Eyes Healthy (National Eye Institute (NIH)). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.