May is Healthy Vision Month, a campaign organized by the National Eye Institute (NEI) to encourage individuals to prioritize their eye health. In honor of this effort, top Charleston ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon Dr. Kerry Solomon shares the following tips for maintaining strong vision and eye health.
Learn about Your Family’s Eye Health History
Many eye diseases are hereditary, so it’s important to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with one. If you have a family history of eye diseases, you may have an increased risk of developing the diseases yourself.
Eat an Eye-Friendly Diet
Here’s another reason to follow a healthy diet: eating foods rich in eye-friendly nutrients is proven to lower the risk of certain eye diseases, including cataracts. Eye-friendly nutrients include vitamin C, zinc, lutein, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is terrible for your health, and your eye health is no exception. Numerous studies show that smoking increases the risk for many eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Wear Sunglasses Year Round
Overexposure to UV rays also increases your risk of certain eye problems and conditions. Safeguard your eyes from UV damage by wearing sunglasses, including during cloudy weather. Be sure to wear sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection.
Get an Eye Exam
Many people visit their eye doctor or get their eyes checked only when they experience vision or eye problems. What some people don’t realize is that many vision and eye problems don’t exhibit early symptoms. What’s more, some eye diseases do not show any visible symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred. For this reason, getting your eyes examined regularly is critical in early detection and treatment. How often you should get your eyes examined depends on several factors, including your age, eye health and vision needs.
Inquire about Your Vision Correction Options
If you have been diagnosed with an eye condition or disease, don’t delay on getting treatment. Diseases like cataracts are common and if left untreated, can lead to debilitating vision loss. A highly sought-out cataract surgeon, Dr. Solomon offers both traditional cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery to help patients enjoy restored vision. In addition, Dr. Solomon offers several elective procedures, including LASIK, for patients who are simply ready to enjoy life without glasses and contacts.
For more healthy vision tips, or to learn about cataract surgery or the other vision correction procedures Dr. Solomon offers, please schedule a consultation. Contact our Charleston office by calling (843) 881-3937 or emailing us today.