New Look for Summer

Posted on: 8 July 2019

Your eyes are important for vision, but they are also key factors in your overall health and wellness. Certain conditions, such as cataracts, which cause a clouding of the lens, affect your ability to see properly. In addition, cataracts can affect your appearance if left untreated. Although more than 24.4 million Americans over age 40 have cataracts, most people do not realize that cataracts are preventable. Here are a few tips to help reduce your risk of cataracts.

Visit Your Eye Doctor

One of the most important tips to help prevent cataracts (and other vision- and eye-related issues) is to schedule regular checkups with your eye doctor.

Even if you are not experiencing vision issues, these comprehensive eye exams will help your eye doctor determine if you are at risk of developing cataracts or other eye-related problems. Early intervention can be extremely beneficial for preventing the formation of cataracts, so knowing the warning signs is key.

If you do learn that vision correction is necessary, be sure to order prescription eyeglasses to ensure you can see more clearly. If you continue to strain your eyes to see, you may increase your risk of developing cataracts.

Eat Healthily

Following a healthy diet is important for many reasons. Not only will it help manage a healthy weight, but it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can prevent the formation of cataracts.

To ensure you have stable blood sugar, avoid eating a diet loaded in starchy, sugary foods. Incorporate nutrient-rich foods, such as leafy greens and carrots, into your daily diet. These foods contain important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that strengthen your eye health while reducing your risk of weight gain and diabetes.

Protect Your Eyes

Routine eye exams and a healthy diet can protect your eye health, but protecting your eyes in other ways is also important.

The sun's harmful rays, for example, can increase your risk of cataracts. Therefore, you should always protect your eyes when outside. Wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. If you require vision correction, talk to your eye doctor about prescription sunglasses that not only correct your vision but that also protect your eyes from the ultraviolet rays.

Wearing a hat when outdoors is also beneficial. A wide-brimmed hat can offer an enormous amount of shade, preventing how much your eyes are exposed to the UV rays.

Reducing your risk of cataracts is possible with the help of your eye doctor, a healthy diet, and eye protection.

For more information, contact an ophthalmology office.