Photo by Harry Quan on Unsplash
The eyes are commonly known as the windows to the soul, and rightfully so, as they give insight into one’s emotions and thoughts. In fact, vision is the most dominant sense of all human senses and 80% responsible for how we comprehend and experience the world.
Over time, one’s visual acuity—sharpness of vision—may deviate from the ideal 20/20 vision score and pose challenges to instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), requiring the use of contacts and glasses to restore eyesight. While changes in eyesight are completely normal as we age, in many cases, vision loss is preventable. With a little initiative and willpower, good vision health can be achieved by taking the following steps:
Get an Eye Exam
Getting your eyes checked is the only way to determine eye health as some vision problems can go undetected. Eye doctors may also identify risks for other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid disease. The frequency of appointments largely depends on age. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a comprehensive eye exam, consider scheduling an appointment soon to check your status.
Commit to a Healthier Lifestyle
It’s no surprise that healthy eating and exercise improve eye health. The key to successful lifestyle changes is to introduce small habits at a manageable pace. For example, it may be more realistic to gradually reduce sugar intake than to cut it out abruptly. Taking it slow will still produce the positive affects you need to make a ‘visible’ difference.
Protect Your Eyes
While enjoying the great outdoors, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) exposure. UV rays can cause sunburn to the eyes and contribute to vision impairment. Be sure to select shades with 100% UV protection to ensure the best safeguard.
Rest Your Eyes
Staring at a computer or smartphone for long periods of time can put enormous strain on your eyesight—causing blurry vision and dry eyes. Taking regular breaks can alleviate pain and discomfort. Healthline recommends trying the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Make every effort to protect the most important sense organ and expressive tool for nonverbal communication. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
USFHP is proud to offer comprehensive care with enhanced benefits such as $0 to low cost eyeglasses through Davis Vision. Call 1-800-241-4848 to enroll now.
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Bonus: Thank you for reading this article! You earned a corny eye joke to share with your family and friends:
Q: Why did the phone wear glasses?
A: Because it lost its contacts! 😊