Keeping Eyes Healthy To Stave Away Cataracts

Happy Elderly Couple

Do you make your eye health a priority?

One might say it’s human nature – sometimes we take our health for granted, it’s only until we start having health problems, do we realize how fortunate we are to be healthy. Same goes for our vision. Making smart decisions every day can help reduce your risk of eye problems like cataracts.

A Regular Eye Exam

The best way to protect your vision is to get a comprehensive eye exam. Some vision-related problems like glaucoma have no pain or symptoms at first. A trip to your eye doctor can help you catch eye diseases in their early stages when they’re easier to treat.

Your eye exam may include:

  • Taking your personal and family medical history.
  • Tests for your visual acuity.
  • Measuring your eye pressure, a key indicator of glaucoma.
  • An internal and external visual examination of your eyes.

You might also need more tests depending on your specific situation.

To see if you’re a candidate for laser eye surgery or similar operation, we will perform a thorough eye examination for you. We’ll then be able to recommend the best course of action for your specific needs.

Eating Right For Eye Sight

Eating well can help reduce the risk of age-related eye health problems. Foods rich with the following nutrients have been linked with lowering your risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, and other issues. As an added bonus, they taste great too!

  • Omega 3 fatty acids found in tuna, salmon, and other oily fish.
  • Lutein and zeaxanthin found in leafy greens like collards, kale, and spinach.
  • Vitamin E from nuts, legumes, and seeds. Sprinkling some chia or flax seeds on a leafy green salad is a delicious eye health booster!
  • Vitamin C from citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits.
  • Beta carotene and vitamin A which can both be found in the most famous vegetable for healthy eyes, carrots.  

It’s no secret that eating right is great for your overall health. It keeps you at a healthy weight and lowers your risk of getting diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Wear Sunglasses

A quick (and fashionable) way to protect your eyes is to wear sunglasses. Make sure you choose a pair that has 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Too much exposure to UVA and UVB rays can increase your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure to wear some shades when the sun is out, even in the winter.

Take A Break From Your Screens

When you’re at work or on your phone, make sure you take a break from your screens. Staring at a computer or phone for too long can cause eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, blurry vision, and more. Keep in mind the rule of 20 which goes like this: every 20 minutes, stare at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will give you eyes a small break before going back to work.

Value Your Vision

This year, don’t take your healthy eyes for granted. For those that have cataracts or other vision issues, we’re here to help. We can put together a custom treatment plan to match each patient’s unique eye care needs. Just give us a call at 604.430.9560 or send a message to the cataract surgery experts at BoydVision.