May Is Healthy Vision Month: Steps To Take for Your Eye Health

Every year during May, doctors promote eye health and educate their patients on how to improve their vision. People of all ages, from preschool to late retirement, can take active steps to make sure they are doing all they can for their eyes. It’s important to review signs of major eye conditions at least once a year to make sure nothing is developing. You can do some initial screening yourself during your day-to-day activities. Be sure to keep in touch with your optometrist as well and take extra steps to keep your eyes healthy this May. 

Review Your General Eye Health at Home

Health conditions can sneak up on people from time to time. Eye conditions are no exception, and you should take time to ask yourself some important questions this month to make sure you haven’t missed any major signs of vision problems. Be sure to note and call your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Halos surrounding lights within your vision
• Double vision
• Flashes of light
• Diabetes
• Reduced or impaired vision
• Pain in your eye

Be Proactive About Your Eye Health

Good eye health is part of your overall health. Get yourself and your family, including young ones, screened regularly to prevent accidents. People with good vision have fewer falls, strokes, injuries, issues with depression, heart failure, and other health problems. A few everyday things you can do to take care of your body and eyes will go a long way toward keeping your vision in great shape. 

• Wear sunglasses that fully block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Wear protective glasses when needed for sports and outdoor activities with projectile risks.
• Watch your weight. Diabetes is a major contributor to vision loss.
• Don’t skip your dilated eye exams. Dilation provides a higher level of evaluation for your doctor than a regular exam.
• Avoid smoking.
• Eat dark, leafy greens. Kale, spinach, and collard greens will help protect your vision.

See Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Make sure you connect with a professional for your regular eye exams and any extra medical care you need for your eyes. An attentive optometrist will keep your corrective lenses accurate and help you prevent problems.