March is Save Your Vision Month, which makes this an excellent time to look at the ways that a healthy lifestyle contributes to protecting your eyes. Check out these Eye Health facts from Eye Care America:
- By age 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease.
- People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than people without diabetes.
- Eighty percent of all blindness is preventable or curable.
So what can you do to “save your vision”? Living a healthy lifestyle is a good way to protect your vision, because many of the same choices and changes that you make for your overall health will also help keep your eyes healthy. The CDC offers some Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes on their website. Here’s a sample of their tips:
- Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Just as you go to dentist regularly, go to the eye doctor regularly.
- Quit smoking or never start. Smoking increases your risk for several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for diabetes, which leads to an increased risk of blindness.
- Wear protective eye gear. This includes safety glasses, goggles, and eye shields appropriate to the activity, whether that’s working around the house or playing sports.
- Give your eyes a rest. If you spend time on the computer, don’t forget to take a break and allow your eyes to rest.
Here’s one additional tip from the CDC: Eat right to protect your sight. A diet rich in the right foods and nutrients will improve your eye health. WebMD recommends these Good Foods for Eye Health:
- Spinach and Kale. These have two of the best antioxidants to protect your eyes, lutein and zeaxanthin.
- Grapefruit, Strawberries, and Brussels Sprouts. These are great sources for Vitamin C.
- Seeds, Nuts, and Wheat Germ. These offer Vitamin E.
- Turkey, Oysters, and Crab. These are rich in zinc.
- Salmon, Sardines, and Herring. These are a good source for omega-3 fatty acids.
- Carrots, Pumpkin, and Sweet Potato. These have beta carotene.
If you need help getting started with your new healthy lifestyle, Lake Pointe Chiropractic and Wellness Center is here to help. Contact us for more information on developing a personalized health care plan. After all, a healthy lifestyle protects more than your eyes; it provides the keys to a happy life.
