A - Maintaining Good Eye Health

Healthy Eye Habits

Many eye health and vision problems occur naturally with age and with no obvious signs or symptoms. The most important way to prevent eye health issues from becoming unmanageable is by scheduling an annual exam with your eye doctor. More than 80 percent of all visual impairment is treatable, preventable or curable, so early diagnosis and care are critical.¹

In addition to regular eye exams, the following habits can help maintain healthy eyes and vision:

·        Select the right glasses or contact lenses to correct visual impairment

·        Always disinfect and replace contact lenses as recommended

·        Wash hands regularly and thoroughly before touching eyes or inserting and removing contact lenses

·        Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA/UVB rays

·        Avoid smoking

·        Maintain a healthy weight to avoid systemic conditions—such as diabetes—that may lead to impaired vision

·        Monitor chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes and high blood pressure)

·        Reduce computer-induced eye strain by practicing the 20-20-20 rule: look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes

·        Eat a healthy diet filled with dark leafy greens, like kale, spinach and collards, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon, tuna and halibut

·        Include dietary supplements that boost your intake of vitamins and minerals that support eye health

Reference:

1.       World Health Organization. Visual Impairment and Blindness.http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/. Accessed on July 24, 2012.

B - Your eyes at every stage in life

Infants, Ages 3 and Younger

Overall eye health can have lifelong consequences in how babies and infants learn to see. That’s why it’s crucial to have the best care possible for common - and uncommon - eye diseases and conditions.

Learn morehttp://www.waeps.org/eye-care-timeline--before-3

Children &Teenagers, Ages 3 to 19

Your child or teenager's eyes should be screened during regular check-ups with the pediatrician every one to two years. 

Learn morehttp://www.waeps.org/eye-care-timeline--ages-3-19

Adults, Ages 20 to 39

The eye completes its growth in the early 20s, and contact lenses and glasses provide excellent vision correction during this time. Surgical approaches are also an option once refractive error stabilizes. Although many at this age experience healthy vision, there are some conditions that can affect eye health

Learn morehttp://www.waeps.org/eye-care-timeline--ages-20-39

Adults, Ages 40 to 64

The possibility of being diagnosed with an eye condition, such as presbyopia, becomes more prevalent, while overall eye health starts to face new challenges between the ages of 40 to 59.

Learn morehttp://www.waeps.org/eye-care-timeline--ages-40-64

Adults, Ages 64 and Older

Age-related conditions, such as cataracts, may be treated with the right care to allow you to continue living a life of good vision. As people get older, they’re more likely to get certain eye health problems and conditions.

Learn morewaeps.memberclicks.net/eye-care-timeline--ages-65-and-older

C - Preventing Vision Problems

Protecting Your Eyes

Certain vision problems, such as cataracts and presbyopia, occur as a natural result of aging. However, there are simple steps you can take to help manage many common eye problems and maintain your vision.

Healthy Habits

·         Enhance your diet – Certain nutrients, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and vitamins A, C and E can promote eye health and reduce your risk of developing serious eye problems. A healthy diet consisting of fruits, green leafy vegetables, fish and vitamin supplements may support your vision. Maintaining a healthy weight can also be important, as it can help prevent or control diseases such as diabetes, which can cause vision problems like diabetic retinopathy.

·         Quit smoking – Research has shown that not smoking can help reduce the risk of developing degenerative eye diseases.

·         Wear UV-absorbing eye wear and wide-brimmed hats – Sunglasses that block 100 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays, along with wearing wide-brimmed hats, can help protect your vision.

Maintaining Your Vision

·         Schedule routine eye exams – Your eye doctor will advise you on how regularly you should have an eye exam. This will vary based on your age, health, family history, and whether you wear glasses or contact lenses.

·         Keep contact lenses clean and replace them as recommended – Follow instructions on how long to keep contact lenses in your eyes and how frequently they should be replaced. Also, be sure to follow any care and disinfection instructions specific to your contact lenses and lens care products.

·         Prevent injuries – Wear safety goggles or glasses when playing sports, mowing the lawn or performing any other task that could potentially cause injury to the eyes.

Learn more about your eye health at myeyes.com

References

1.       WebMD. What Your Eyes Say About Your Health. [Accessed June 26, 2014]

2.       Lighthouse International. Harris Interactive Survey 2010. [Accessed June 21, 2014]