Healthy Vision Month

May is Healthy Vision Month and the National Eye Institute wants to help empower and educate Americans to make their eye health a priority. The National Eye Institute along with the Doctors at Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons recommend the following steps to protect your vision:

1.Get your eyes dilated

You might think your vision is in good shape or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting one of our Doctors for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to be completely certain. When it comes to common vision problems, many people don’t realize their vision could be improved with glasses or contact lenses. In addition, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration often have no symptoms. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages. Speak with Dr. Dennis Kilpatrick or Dr. Candria Meharry to find out how often you should be getting your eyes examined.

During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, drops are placed in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupil. Our Doctors then use a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and look for signs of damage and other eye problems

2. Keep your health in good shape!

Living an overall healthy life is good for your eyes. You can start taking steps toward living a healthy life by:

Maintaining a healthy weight.  Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma.

Eating healthy foods.  You’ve heard carrots are good for your eyes, but eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, is important for keeping your eyes healthy too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.

Not smoking. Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.

Managing chronic conditions.  Many conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and multiple sclerosis, can greatly impact vision, resulting in inflammation of the optic nerve, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and even blindness. Managing these conditions with the help of Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons can often prevent these eye problems from occurring.

3. Know your family history

Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease, especially glaucoma or macular degeneration, since many are hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease yourself.

4. Use protective eye wear

Did you know that each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment, and that every 13 minutes, an ER in the United States treats a sports-related eye injury? Protecting your eyes with the right eyewear can prevent those injuries from happening—that includes safety glasses, goggles, safety shields, and eye guards. Visit our Optical Boutique to get help with special lenses for sports!

5. Wear sunglasses

Sunglasses can be a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays like sunscreen for your eyes. Some of the sun’s effects on the eyes include:

• Cataracts – a clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision. Many cases are caused by extended UV exposure.
• Macular degeneration – resulting from damage to the retina that destroys central vision. Macular degeneration can lead to blindness if not properly treated.
• Pterygium – a tissue growth over the white part of the surface of the eye that can alter the curve of the eyeball, causing astigmatism.

When purchasing sunglasses, look for those that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. A hat offers great protection, too! Stop by, and visit our Optical Boutique and check out our wide selection of designer and glare-free sunglasses.

6. Don’t Wait

Never to wait if you notice anything out of the ordinary, waiting just a few extra days can have irreversible damage to your vision!

Protecting your vision is important and making good decisions is vital to ensure your vision stays in tiptop shape! If you haven’t had your eyes checked, call 480-994-1872 to make an appointment to see one of our Doctors, or stop in to our Optical Boutique, conveniently located in our office to check out our selection of eyewear!