Thursday3Some: 3 Ways to Protect Your Vision

Image by skeeze,  from Pixabay

Today I had an eye exam. My vision is of the utmost importance to me—just as yours is to you, I'm sure.

Because the leading causes of blindness and low vision are age-related diseases such as macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, I thought I'd pass along 3 tips about protecting your vision as you age.

Unfortunately, most of us tend to ignore our health, including our vision, and don't take note of subtle signals that something is wrong or different.

1. The very first thing you should do is know your family's health history.

Does anyone in your family suffer from diabetes, artery diseases, or have a history of high blood pressure? If so, then that increases your risk for vision problems. Be sure to have regular physical exams for diabetes and high blood pressure as well as an annual vision exam.

Untreated, diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and eye strokes which occur when arteries or veins in the retina are blocked. Eye strokes cause vision loss. The severity of the loss depends on the extent and location of the blockages and loss of blood flow. Your eye also may suffer damage when vital structures such as the retina and optic nerve are cut off from nutrients and oxygen flowing through your blood.

2. Always look for warning signs of changes in your vision.

If you notice changes in your vision, like double vision, hazy vision, or difficulty seeing in low light conditions, contact your eye doctor.

Safety goggles

There are other eye conditions that have the potential to develop into serious eye problems, such as red eyes, flashes of light, "floaters," eye pain, and swelling.

3. Practice the same good health habits that benefit your entire body.

Always wear Safety Goggles like the ones shown at right, fit over prescription glasses, and they're not expensive. Make wearing safety goggles a practice when working with tools or chemicals.

Don't smoke. It's bad for so many aspects of your health including your eyes.

Eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, antioxidants, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids benefit your eyes too.

Exercise frequently, like brisk walking, and wear sunglasses with UV filters.

Safety Glasses

If you target shoot, eye protection for the gun range is also affordable. No legitimate gun range will allow you to target shoot without safety glasses. Darling Hubby and I have the Safety Glasses shown at left.

It's better to have your own safety glasses than to wear the ones provided by the range because they don't fit that well, they're dirty, and heaven knows how many germs are on them. *LOL*

Takeaway Truth

Do all you can to protect your vision.