subject: Eye Health Explained [print this page] Modern life can be hard on the eyes, especially in this age of heavy computer and television use. Unfortunately, few people care about their eyes with the same care they give other parts of their body. To preserve the precious gift of sight and enjoy life, here are some eye-saving tips you should follow:
Have your eyes checked every 12 months no matter how old you are. Visit an ophthalmologist regularly even if you don't wear eyeglasses or there is no obvious problem. Kids should also get an eye exam before starting kindergarten and every few years thereafter. Most people believe that if they can see well, everything is fine but there may be unseen ophthalmic conditions that need a doctors attention. Headaches, for instance, may be caused by vision problems that are straining the eyes.
If you use over-the-counter (OTC) eyeglasses, that's another good reason to visit an ophthalmologist. Although they wont hurt your eyes, OTC glasses don't correct astigmatism. Uncorrected vision problems can get worse and wont be aided by wearing corrective contact lenses or glasses that aren't good for you. Thus, you should see an eye doctor if your contact lenses don't feel right even if its less than a year since your last visit. For people above 60 years of age, yearly eye exams are recommended to check for cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, a disorder that reduces vision in the central part of the retina.
Wear sunglasses outside. This will protect your eyes from the suns ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause cataracts and macular degeneration. Go for big lenses since they protect the eyes more but any style is okay as long as it blocks 98 percent of UV rays or more. For maximum protection, yellow and orange tinted lenses are recommended. Contrary to popular belief, light sunglasses can block UV rays too but dark glasses protect you more against bright sunlight.
Monitor your diabetes or you could suffer from diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar damages the blood vessels behind the retina. The blood then leaks out into the retina and causes vision problems. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, get a yearly eye exam.
