It is always important to maintain healthy eyes, and since May is Healthy Vision Month, so it’s the perfect time to refresh your memory on some of the ways you can take care of the health of your family’s eyes and vision! Take the opportunity to improve your family’s vision with the following tips:
1. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam
If you are not experiencing problems, you may think you have good eye health. However, a comprehensive eye exam is the best way to rule out any vision problems as well as conditions that have no symptoms in their early stages including glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. You and your kids should receive an eye exam with an optometrist at least every two years, says Everyday Health.
2. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is important for every aspect of your well-being – including your eyes. For instance, eating healthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight, avoids obesity – a condition that can increase the risk of developing diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and vision loss, explains National Eye Institute. In addition, if you already suffer from a chronic illness, such as diabetes, hypertension, or multiple sclerosis, managing the condition can prevent vision problems, such as inflammation of optic nerve, diabetic retinopathy, and blindness, from occurring.
3. Protect Against Computer Vision Syndrome
Kids are at particular risk for developing computer vision syndrome due to their high usage of computers with less developed eyes. Computer vision syndrome is a serious condition that can cause back or neck pain, dry eyes, and headaches, explains VSP. You can prevent the problem from occurring by allowing children to spend only an appropriate amount of time per day in front of the screen, making sure they take frequent breaks and keeping monitors clean.
4. Wear Protective Sunglasses
Using sunglasses that offer 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB protection prevents sun rays from damaging your eyes. Neglecting sunglasses, on the other hand, can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium, explains Red Orbit. You should also use polycarbonate eye protection whenever you play sports to risk to your risk of injury. Remember – UV damage can add up over time, so start protecting your kids’ eyes from the start!
Check out Real Kids’ line of sunglasses to find the perfect pair to protect your children’s eyes and vision.