Did you know?

1. Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam
   A visit to your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to be sure your eyes are healthy. When it comes to common vision problems, some people don’t realize they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. In addition, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages. Your eye care professional is the only one who can determine if your eyes are healthy and if you’re seeing your best.


2. Know your family’s eye health history
   It’s important to know if anyone in the family has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary. You can then find out if you are at a higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.


3. Maintain a healthy weight
   Being overweight increases the risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss or glaucoma.


4. Quit smoking or never start
   Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.


5. Wear protective eyewear
   Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields and eye guards. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.


6. Keep your eyes hydrated
   A simple saline solution can help to lubricate and soothe eyes. If you experience stinging or burning in your eyes, or a sandy or gritty feeling, or you don’t produce tears when you cry, see an eye professional to make sure you aren’t suffering from “dry eye,” a condition that needs medical attention.

7. Clean your hands and your contact lenses—properly
   To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Make sure to disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace them as appropriate.


8. Rest your eyes throughout the day
   If you work at a computer, remember the 20/20/20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes. For 20 seconds, look at something 20 feet away or farther. This allows your eyes to refocus and relax and prevents the blurry vision that can occur by staring at a computer screen for too long.

Eat well
Heart-healthy diets tend to be good for the eyes, since blood circulation is important to eye health. Here is a list of foods to eat or drink to keep the eyes healthy:

1. Eat greens. Ingesting lots of leafy green vegetables like spinach, collard greens and kale help avoid macular degeneration.


2. Get plenty of Omega 3 fish oil, such as the kind in Laminine OMEGA⁺⁺⁺. It helps eyesight stay clear.


3. Take vitamins. There are supplements made specifically for eye health. Be sure you choose one that includes Vitamins A, C, E and B2 as well as zinc and selenium.


4. Eat apricots and blueberries. Blueberries are associated with the reduction of eye fatigue and apricots are rich in beta carotene and lycopene, both of which promote good vision.


5. Drink tea. Although not proven, there is widespread belief that drinking tea might help to deter cataracts.


6. Try Bilberry. This herbal remedy, according to some herbalists, can help to improve night vision.