It isn't uncommon for people to forget about the importance of their physical or emotional health until a problem arises. The same is true when it comes to your eyes. However, eye disease is a real concern in America, especially with millions of people suffering from at least some kind of vision condition. For that reason, it is important that you consider changes in your life that you can make to protect your vision. Here are three:
1. Get Your Body Moving.
Most people know that exercise had plenty of weight loss and even cardiovascular benefits, but what a lot of people do not know is that physical activity can actually help protect their vision. In fact, one study suggests that the risk for someone developing age-related macular degeneration can be reduced by as much as 70 percent simply by indulging in regular exercise. This reduction was obtained when older individuals exercised at least three times each week and maintained a healthy, active lifestyle. With AMD being a serious eye disease that can result in the loss of vision in individuals ages 60 and older, it is important to get that physical activity in each week.
2. Reduce Your Sugar Intake, Increase Your Fruits and Veggies.
Sugar has long been a common enemy to your overall health, but it appears that it can actually impact your vision as well. A new study suggests that certain carbohydrates that can be found in sugary snacks and white breads (which are high-glycemic-index foods) can contribute to the development of AMD and the vision loss that is associated with it later in life. Researchers believe that 20 percent of the advanced AMD cases could potentially be avoided if foods high in glycemic index were eliminated from the diet. Some of those high-GI foods need to be replaced with colorful fruits and vegetables, such as berries, carrots, spinach and kale.
3. Quit Smoking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the primary causes of vision loss in today's Americans is smoking. Smoking is bad for the entire body, but it has been successfully linked to deterioration in vision. Two of the primary eye diseases that can develop from smoking are cataracts and AMD. There is no cure for AMD, but cataracts can be saved by undergoing surgery. Current statistics show that smokers are twice more likely to develop AMD and two to three as likely to develop cataracts when compared to a non-smoker.
For more information, contact Optical Services Inc. or a similar organization.Share
8 October 2015
After I realized that I had a vision problem, I decided to wait awhile before visiting the eye doctor. Although my vision seemed to grow worse on a daily basis, I was nervous about wearing glasses or contacts. However, I knew that I needed to make a change. After almost getting into an accident on the freeway, I headed straight to the nearest opticians office. My doctor evaluated my eyesight, and told me that I had an astigmatism and bad near-sightedness. He prescribed corrective lenses, and you wouldn't believe how big of a difference they made. This blog is all about having the courage to get help with your vision.