If ever we all needed a fresh start, it’s this year! Embracing New Year’s Resolutions will be even more important as we say goodbye to 2020 and ring in 2021. Many of you will vow to shed some pounds, start exercising, or embark on a new career. But for all of us, there’s a simple resolution we can make that doesn’t take too much work, and that’s improving our vision health. Neglecting your vision can have dire consequences. The CDC says vision impairment is a serious public health concern for older adults, impacting three million people in this country alone.
Check out these tips to start off 2021 on the right foot when it comes to your eye health:
Eat Right
Adopt a diet that contains lots of veggies rich in omega-3s, beta carotene, lutein, zinc and zeaxanthin. These are all vital for overall eye health, as they prevent vision loss from eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration. Leafy greens are also good to have each day, as well as fruit and fish like salmon, but steer clear of processed snack foods and sodas.
Get Fit
Exercise is important to your vision health. That’s why you should make a commitment to partaking in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. A healthy weight, paired with normal blood pressure levels, will boost overall physical health as well as the health of your eyes.
Nix the Smoking
Don’t smoke – your eyes are begging you! Research reveals that smoking boosts deterioration of the macula due to the increase in chemical compounds flowing through the bloodstream. This works to reduce blood and oxygen flow, both of which are crucial for proper eye health.
Don Sunglasses
Sunglasses keep your eyes from getting damaged from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Wear them every time you go out, year-round. Don’t think damage can’t happen even in the winter! Prolonged, excessive levels of UV ray exposure have been known to contribute to serious health problems. Those health problems include cataracts and macular degeneration.
Schedule an Eye Exam
Everyone needs an annual eye exam for optimal vision health. This is the time to ask questions of your doctor, and for your doctor to check that everything looks good. Schedule your appointments at the same time of year so it becomes a routine. Attend those exams whether you have apparent vision issues or not. There could be problems brewing that only an eye doctor can detect.
Remember, healthy lifestyle habits can have positive benefits for your whole body, including your eyes. Happy New Year from all of us here at Simon Eye Associates!
Contact Simon Eye
Our eye doctors help you ensure vision health as we emerge into 2021, and all the year through. Contact us at 302-239-1933 to schedule your annual eye exam.
