5 Steps to Healthy Eyes

1. Have a comprehensive eye examination regularly

During this exam, your eye care professional examines your eyes thoroughly for any signs of damage or diseases.

This is important to do regularly (at least yearly) in order to detect any issues before there are symptoms!

2. Recognize your risk factors​

There are some components that can influence your eyes. Your age, having a systemic disease e.g. diabetes, your family history of eye diseases and your past history of trauma or diseases, etc. Your eye care professional can help you assess your risk factors and inform you about precautions.

3. Wear sunglasses and protective eyewear

Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV-rays which are associated with developing cataract and AMD. Goggles and safety glasses protect the eyes from trauma or the entry of any foreign bodies.

4. Avoid smoking

Smoking increases risk of developing dry eye, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage.

5. Eat right!

Eating a healthy diet can make a huge difference in the health of your eyes, much like the rest of your body.

Try and incorporate these things into your meals:

• Orange- colored fruits and vegetables e.g. carrots, they contain Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that helps the retina to function smoothly.

• Fish and seafood, especially fatty fish (e.g. Tuna, salmon, mackerel, etc.), are rich in Omega 3, low levels of which have been linked to dry eye syndrome. All these foods are important for keeping your eyes healthy.

To lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataract:

• leafy greens (e.g. spinach) and eggs, which are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin—antioxidants

• citrus and berries, which are powerhouses of vitamin C almonds that filled with vitamin E.