Posted by: Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Latest News
At Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.C. we provide patients with a full array of routine eye care, eye disease treatment, and refractive eye surgery. While Dr. William Segal uses the latest and most advanced technology to treat conditions ranging from simple astigmatism to cataracts or glaucoma, we also realize that preventative care plays a major role in keeping your eyes healthy and your vision sharp. It is important not to take healthy eyesight for granted, so here are four basic guidelines that can help you to be proactive about your eye health.
Studies have shown that there are several different antioxidants and nutrients that are linked to a lower risk of common eye conditions, including lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E. Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts, as well as dark berries, like blueberries and blackberries, are rich in lutein, a type of carotenoid that protects against macular degeneration and foods rich in omega-3s, like walnuts and fresh cold-water fish, have been found to reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the eye. Drinking sufficient amounts of water is also necessary in order for the eyes to produce tears, which keep the eyes moist and nourished.
Wear Eye Protection
An estimated 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the United States each year and 90% of them could have been avoided with protective eyewear. Safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards are all available in our on-site optical center and should be considered a necessity whenever playing sports or doing activities around the home. Ultraviolet light from the sun can significantly damage the eyes, contributing to cataracts and macular degeneration even on a cloudy day, so always wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
Avoid External Irritants
Intense concentration while driving or working on a computer can cause eye strain, which can lead to dry eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. Take breaks from prolonged focus by following the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Indoor heating systems or the air recycling systems on board an airplane can also make the air extremely dry, potentially making the eyes red, itchy, and irritated, especially for contact lens wearers. Finally, cigarette smoking both contributes to the development of cataracts and can cause optic nerve damage, and so should definitely be avoided.
Get Your Eyes Examined
Last but not least, regular eye exams are absolutely essential for maintaining your visual health. In many cases, a comprehensive optical examination can even detect serious systemic health issues, such as diabetes, before any symptoms have started to manifest. Children should have their first eye exam between the ages of 6 and 12 months and adults, especially those over 40, should have yearly eye exams in order to help prevent age-related ocular conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
If you have any questions you would like to ask Dr. William Segal or Dr. Marc Lay about problems you may be having with your vision, or would like to schedule an eye exam, please contact Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons today to make an appointment. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more information on how to keep your vision healthy.
