Throughout our lives, it’s important to stay active and eat well to protect and maintain optimum health. Regular exercise is great for your heart and for building strong muscles and dense bones, and good nutrition supports immune function and the development of healthy tissue. Keeping fit and practicing good self care is important for healthy eyes, too. Eating a balanced diet, getting regular eye exams and quitting smoking promotes good eye health and can slow the progression of age-related eye diseases.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, men and women should have a thorough dilated eye exam at age 40 to assess the condition of your eyes and rule out age-related eye diseases. This first glimpse also gives your eye doctor the opportunity for early diagnosis if a problem arises. For adults over the age of 65, an eye exam every two years is recommended to monitor changes in the eyes due to age and screen for disease. Smoking greatly increases your risk of cataracts, which require surgical treatment, and age-related macular degeneration; the heavier you smoke, the higher your risk. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the world, having no specific cause or cure. The good news is smokers who quit see their risk of these conditions return to near-normal levels in time. In addition to regular exams and healthy lifestyle choices, sound nutrition is necessary for lifelong eye health. Studies funded by the National Eye Institute found that combinations of vitamins C and E, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc oxide and copper oxide work to slow the progression of age-related eye diseases. Incorporating citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, legumes like peanuts and lima beans, cold-water fish like salmon and tuna and lots of leafy greens like kale and spinach provide plenty of the necessary nutrients to support overall health, with added benefits for your vision.
For skilled, comprehensive eye care in Northern Michigan, turn to Alpine Eye Care. We are the area’s leading eye care center, providing vision correction, eye care for seniors, diagnosis and treatment of disease, cataract surgery and cosmetic surgical procedures. Our staff of caring professionals is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of your sight. We are proud to have the area’s only two board-certified eye surgeons on staff. Surgical procedures are performed at your local hospital, ensuring that you and your eyes are getting superb care. Call 1.877.733.2020 or schedule an appointment to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment.