When was the last time you walked away from a hard workout at the gym or ordered grilled chicken with vegetables and thought, “My eyes are going to thank me for this”? Probably never, but that’s OK. Everyone has their own reasons for adopting a healthy lifestyle, but here are a few things to consider when it comes to your eyes and how you can influence their health:
• Watch what you eat. Nutrition plays an ever-increasing role in the longevity of your eyes. Diets rich in fruits and dark leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach provide nutrients that may help fight cataracts and macular degeneration. Omega 3, found in salmon and walnuts, improves heart health and brain function but also helps patients with dry eyes. Even one to two ounces of dark chocolate a day contains flavanoids, which help strengthen blood vessels in your eyes, as well as the rest of your body. Admittedly, it’s hard to get all those food sources in every day, so high quality supplements are a good alternative.
• Focus on exercise. Everyone knows the importance of staying in shape but did you know it could save your sight? Many systemic diseases, such as diabetes — one of the leading causes of vision loss — high blood pressure and high cholesterol can all have a major impact on your eyes. Obesity and abdominal fat carry an increased risk of macular degeneration, a disease that robs people of their central, crisp vision. Oh, and if you smoke, try to cut back. Smoking wreaks havoc on the eyes, just as it does the heart and lungs.
• Wear your shades. We all slather on sunscreen when we go outside, or at least we should. Protecting your eyes should be just as automatic. UV light has been linked to cancer of the eye, excessive tissue growth on the white part of your eye and cataracts. When it comes to sun protection, there are two important things to remember: First, make sure your sunglasses protect against UVA and UVB light. Just because they are tinted doesn’t mean they protect against the harmful UV rays. Second, the majority of UV exposure usually occurs early in life, so make sure your kids are protected too!
• See your doctor yearly. Many eye diseases don’t always have visual symptoms associated with them in the early stages so annual eye health exams are one of the most important things you can do to keep your vision at its best. Also, a visit to your primary care doctor every year is important to keep any systemic diseases from affecting your sight.
Now the next time you choose salad over fries or hit the gym even though you don’t feel like it, know that your body, mind and eyes will be much happier. Simply put, be healthy.
Dr. Ken Tesinsky and Dr. Cecilia Wong Tesinsky own Avalon Park Eye Care, located in downtown Avalon Park. For more information, visit their website at www.avalonparkeyecare.com.