Every January, people across the country make New Year's resolutions to improve their health and wellbeing. And while most resolutions focus on physical fitness or healthy eating, it's important not to overlook the health of our eyes.
Our vision is one of our most precious senses, and taking care of it should be a top priority. At Conestoga Eye, we believe that incorporating simple, healthy habits into your daily routine can make a big difference in maintaining clear and healthy vision. With a range of adult and pediatric eye care services, our expert team is committed to helping you achieve your eye care goals in 2024 and beyond.
Why Eye Care Should Be A Priority
According to the CDC, about 12 million Americans over the age of 40 have some form of vision impairment. Additionally, 93 million adults are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past year.
Good eye health isn't just about seeing clearly; it's also important for overall health and well-being. Poor eye health can significantly impact quality of life, affecting daily activities such as reading, driving, and even recognizing faces. It can also contribute to other health issues, such as headaches, fatigue, and increased risk of falls and other accidents.
Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, can develop without any noticeable symptoms until it's too late to prevent vision loss. In addition, our eyes are constantly exposed to potentially harmful elements like blue light from screens, UV rays from the sun, and environmental pollutants. These factors can contribute to eye strain, dryness, and other issues that can negatively impact our vision over time.
Top Eye Care Resolutions for 2024
Good news: there are many steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy. With small changes to your daily routine and lifestyle, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing eye diseases and maintain optimal eye health for years to come.
Practicing Proper Contact Hygiene
Maintaining proper hygiene when using contact lenses is crucial for preventing eye infections and maintaining overall eye health. Always wear your contracts for the recommended length of time and replace as directed, wash and dry your hands before handling contacts, use fresh solution when storing them, and replace your lens case regularly.
Adopting a Healthy Diet
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can provide significant health benefits, including safeguarding your vision. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy and other eye complications.
Quitting Smoking
Smoking can lead to a higher risk of developing cataracts, optic nerve damage, and age-related macular degeneration—all of which can lead to blindness. Quitting smoking now can significantly reduce these risks and improve both your vision and overall health.
Limiting Screen Time
Excess screen time can lead to computer vision syndrome, consisting of eye strain, dryness, and blurred vision. Adopt a 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
Wearing Protective Eyewear
If you participate in certain sports or hobbies, or if you work in a hazardous environment, wearing appropriate protective eyewear is crucial. Safety glasses and goggles are designed to protect your eyes from potential injury, and wearing them can help prevent permanent vision loss. But safety glasses aren't the only type of protective eyewear you should consider. No matter the season, you should always wear sunglasses when out in the sun to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause cataracts and other age-related eye diseases. Even in the winter, snow and ice can reflect sunlight and cause damage to your eyes, but with sunglasses, you can reduce this risk significantly.
Scheduling Regular Eye Exams
Regular comprehensive dilated eye exams are key to early detection of eye diseases and other health conditions. These exams take into account your family medical history, lifestyle, and overall health to provide personalized eye care.
They're especially critical because some eye diseases do not have early warning signs. Plus, some conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can be detected during an eye exam before any other symptoms are present.
How Conestoga Eye Can Help
Navigating through the world of eye health can be daunting, but having professional help can make all the difference. At Conestoga Eye, we're dedicated to providing comprehensive, expert eye care services for patients of all ages. Our team of experienced professionals uses the latest technology and techniques to diagnose and treat eye diseases effectively.
From routine eye exams to advanced surgical procedures, we offer personalized treatment plans to help you achieve your eye care goals and maintain optimal vision for years to come.
Improve Your Eye Health in 2024
Whether it's adopting a healthier diet, quitting smoking, limiting screen time, or wearing protective eyewear, each step plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of eye or vision problems. Plus, by partnering with Conestoga Eye, you can rest assured that your vision is in the hands of experts who are committed to maintaining your eye health and treating any potential issues with the most advanced care available.
It's never too late to start making changes for better eye health. Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam, and let's work together towards achieving your top eye care goals for 2024.
From routine visits to medical eye care, the team at Conestoga Eye is ready to assist you with all your vision needs. Schedule an appointment online with us today to start your journey toward better vision.
