6 tips for healthy vision

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Aug 8th 2008 12:00PM

We know that it's important to eat right and exercise to care for our bodies. We buy special products and take care of our skin. Brushing and flossing take care of our teeth. But what about our eyes? It's just as important to guard our eye health -- Revolution Health gives us six simple tips for healthy vision:

Good nutrition. Inflammation is the root cause of many eye disorders, so opt for anti-inflammatory foods when possible. Avoid red meat, choose fish and other products that are rich in omega-3s, and choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (avoid saturated fats as much as possible). Also eat lots of green, leafy veggies -- they're high in lutein which is important for eye health.
Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that have 100% UV protection. It can also be helpful to wear a wide-brimmed hat when at the beach or other sunny spots.
Exercise. Moderate exercise has been proven to reduce intraocular pressure, a causative factor for glaucoma.
Don't smoke. Smoking doesn't just damage the lungs -- it also damages blood vessels which, in turn, can deprive the eyes of much-needed oxygen.
Minimize eye strain. Position your computer monitor properly (not too close and a bit below eye level) and use a glare guard.
Have regular eye exams. Even if your vision isn't impaired, it's important to visit an eye doctor regularly. (Many people go annually, but you can ask your doctor what intervals he/she recommends.)

Source

Comments (1)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Janet Hughes 9-26-2008 @ 3:14PM

Thanks, Maggie, for the great information. Your "6 tips" are excellent--a good reminder for everyone to know.

We're raising awareness for children's vision at Vision First Foundation. Check us out at: www.VisionFirstFoundation.org. We believe vision screening is not a substitute for eye exams and that all children should have an eye exam before starting school. For the latest eye-opening news for children's vision, visit my blog at: Janet's Journal.(http://janetsjournalblog.com)

Thanks, again, for reminding me to eat those green leafy veggies instead of cheese curls, to get some real exercise besides vacuuming, and to minimize that eye strain--yikes! I've been surfing and straining too long again...time to take a break from this computer! :)
Janet