Five Things to Consider During Save Your Vision Awareness Month

Save your vision month Medical Eye Center

When it comes to thinking about eye health, it’s tempting to think that we are doing enough to protect these valuable organs by simply wearing sunglasses in the summer or getting an updated glasses prescription. The reality is there are many everyday situations in our workplaces and homes that can cause damage to our eyes. Thankfully, this damage can also be prevented. That’s why Save Your Vision Awareness Month is the perfect time to set new goals for your eye health and help raise awareness among your friends and family. Save Your Vision Month is observed every March and sponsored by the American Optometric Association. Here are five things to think about (and put into practice) this month:

  1. Screens and devices: It’s no secret that screens are a part of modern life. Whether you are working in a cubicle or simply reading emails at home, you are likely spending time looking at a screen. The BBC recently reported that people spend up to one-third of their waking hours on their smartphones. To combat this, the American Optometric Association recommends using a rule they call “20/20/20,” which involves taking a short break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Following these recommendations can help reduce the strain on your eyes.
  2. A balanced diet: Many people understand that our gut health and diets can affect our overall health, but there are also certain foods that hold nutrients that can specifically support eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends foods like:
    • Orange fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin A: Vitamin A supports retina health and can prevent dryness in the eye.
    • Fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout: These cold-water fish types can boost your eye health by providing Omega-3’s, which have been shown to reduce the risk of eye disease.
    • Leafy green vegetables: It’s well-known that eating your greens is a great choice for your health, but vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, peas, and collard greens, can also provide lutein and zeaxanthin. The purpose of lutein and zeaxanthin is to protect the macula in the eye, which is responsible for detailed and color vision.
  3. Makeup and skincare products: If you use makeup and skincare products daily, you may not realize the subtle, sneakier ways that these can threaten your eye health. To help protect your vision this month, here are some simple ways you can revamp your makeup regimen:
    • Use mineral makeup on and around your eyes: Using more natural products is important because the skin on your eyelid is extremely thin and is susceptible to infection or irritation. To find out more about mineral makeup and skincare lines, Renew Medical Spa is an expert local resource.
    • Clean and sanitize often: Bacteria often lingers on the surfaces of brushes or applicators, so be sure you are beginning with clean hands and cleansed applicators.
    • Throw away any expired products: Many bargain retailers can sell close-to-expiration makeup at a reduced price, so check the dates on your mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliners. Never risk using old, dried-out, or expired products as you can risk infection or scratching your eye surface (like with a dried-out mascara wand).
    • Multi-use products: Many products from lower-end retailers are advertised as multi-use, but a product that is intended for your lips should not be used on your eyes, because it can cause infection or irritation.
      Although makeup and skincare products can be expensive, risking these missteps can be much more costly when it comes to your sight.
  4. Sun protection: Simply putting on a pair of sunglasses while you drive is a positive step, but it does not sum up the entirety of the things you can do to protect your vision from UV rays. The experts at Keck Medicine at USC recommend always wearing approved sunglasses that are rated 100% for UVB or UVA rays (some fashion glasses are not strong enough), wearing a protective hat when outside, and avoiding long lengths of time in direct sunlight during the daytime. They also recommend a lesser-known suggestion: wearing UV-blocking goggles during water sports such as swimming or surfing. Outdoor sun protection goes much further than just sunglasses, and it’s important to take precautions, no matter how much time you spend in the sunlight.
  5. Annual exams and checkups: With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, many eye doctors and healthcare providers had to take patient visits online. Because the situation was so new, it wasn’t yet known how this would affect the eye health of so many patients across the country. According to the CDC, we now know that eye exams dropped by a staggering 80% during the pandemic, which meant many people were going without regular exams to look for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. An online eye exam may sound like an inexpensive, easy way to get your eyes checked, but there is no substitute for in-person exams when it comes to the details and nuances of the eye. In fact, the University of Utah found that online exams can lead to overly-strong prescriptions that can cause headaches and eye strain. At Medical Eye Center, our staff has been trained to keep our patients as safe as possible. We know that your eye health matters, and we don’t want you to wait to schedule important exams and checkups.

If these steps sound overwhelming, we suggest implementing one at a time. Research shows that new habits are easier to implement when you take them in small steps, called “micro-habits.” If you want to improve the steps you are taking in regards to your eye health, we would love to support you along the way. Our staff can schedule you for an appointment and help you begin your journey to building better eye health.

Please note that the above information is intended to be observed as guidelines and is not intended to be a substitute for or construed as informed medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a medical professional with any questions you may have regarding eye health.

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