Good health is an important part of good vision. The healthier you are, the better chance you have of avoiding risks to your eyes.
Quitting smoking can have many good effects on your health. Avoiding smoking can also protect the health of your eyes. By quitting smoking, you can help to possibly reduce your risk of developing several different types of eye diseases.
Quitting smoking may reduce your risk of developing:
Quitting smoking will also reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy if you are diabetic.
Lifelong good nutrition may lower your risk of some eye diseases. By eating a healthy, balanced diet, you will have a better chance of staying healthy and keeping your eyes healthy.
In October 2001, the National Eye Institute (NEI) released a study called the Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). This study found that people who were at risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) benefited from pharmacological-level doses of zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene.
Talk to your doctor before adding vitamins to your diet.
Also, other research has suggested that a lifetime diet rich in certain dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, may reduce your risk of getting AMD.
Another way that your vision can benefit from a healthy diet is that by eating healthy foods, you will lower your risk of developing other diseases, such as diabetes, which can lead to diabetic eye disease. Diabetes is also a risk factor for developing glaucoma.
Staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle that can improve your overall health. Exercising regularly can reduce your risk of developing problems that can lead to eye disease.
Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Controlling your blood pressure is not just a good idea for your heart. It is also a good idea for protecting your eyesight. High blood pressure can increase your risk for glaucoma. It may also increase your risk for diabetic retinopathy if you have diabetes.
You already know that you need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays when you are outdoors. But do you know that you also need to wear protective sunglasses to protect your eyes from those same UV rays?
UV rays may be related to some eye diseases later in life, such as macular degeneration, cataracts and even skin cancer around the eyelids. They can also cause corneal sunburn, called photokeratitis, which can lead to temporary vision loss.
Everyone who spends time outdoors (including children) should wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. Your sunglasses should fit well and be able to absorb 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.
Find out more about protecting your eyes from sun injury.
For more information on taking care of your sight, call Prevent Blindness America at 1-800-331-2020, or contact us online.
Copyright © 2005 Prevent Blindness America ®
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