Healthy Vision Month is here! It’s the perfect time to reflect on how well you take care of your eyes, to improve habits, and to look forward towards your vision future. There are plenty of ways to accomplish this, and we’re going to tell you some of the best ways!
Get an Eye Exam!
The first and most important thing you should do— schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. It’s recommended that you try to get at least 1 exam per year if you are over 40, so why not make it an event by doing it this month? Eye exams allow your doctor to detect problems with your eyesight before they become worse or even permanent. The best part for people in the Auburn, Maine area is that requesting an appointment is easy!
Too Much Screen Time?
Technology is great for us in many ways, but unfortunately for our eyes, it can be a disaster as well for vision. Computer vision syndrome can cause fatigue, eye strain, and headaches. Too much computer use can cause issues with focusing at a distance as well. Our eyes become so accustomed to focusing on a single nearby point for so long that the tiny muscles can eventually have a difficult time adjusting for distance vision.
If less screen use simply isn’t an option, try this: follow the rule of 20. Set a timer on your phone for 20 minutes. When it goes off, look at an object about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Do this as long as you are sitting in front of a computer or watching TV, and don’t forget to take actual breaks as well!
Sun’s Out Shades On!
As summer begins to show itself in Maine (finally), it’s a good idea to remember to start bringing your sunglasses with you. The sun’s rays are extremely harmful to eyes and have been linked to the early development of cataracts. Make sure your shades have 100% UV protection on them. Without it, sunglasses are actually worse than nothing on your eyes! The darkness causes your pupils to dilate, allowing more light to enter. If you don’t mind spending the extra money, polarized lenses cut down on glare, giving you an even more comfortable summer experience!
A Healthy Body Means Healthy Eyes
Having a diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals and exercising regularly isn’t just important to your waistline, it can affect your eyesight as well. Uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, and excessive drinking are linked to serious eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Use this month as an opportunity to be motivated and get serious about your health!
Healthy Vision Month is just the beginning. Keep making these awesome choices and building these great habits, and your chances of maintaining solid vision will be amazing! If you have any questions about your vision or Healthy Vision Month, give Riverside Eye Center a call!