3 things to know for your eye health

(NC) Maintaining good eye health is important at all ages, but particularly as we get older. It’s important to consider ways we can protect our sight and help others who are facing vision loss. Here are three things to keep in mind:

1. Get your eyes examined regularly. Adults over 40, those with diabetes or anyone with a family history of eye disease should be extra diligent. Many serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, show no early signs. This is why getting a comprehensive, dilated eye exam is important: it lets your eye doctor see inside the back of your eye and detect damage early.
2. Your lifestyle impacts your eyesight, and more. Regular physical activity helps prevent conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which are linked to vision-threatening diseases. You can also support eye health with foods high in nutrients, such as leafy greens, colourful fruits and vegetables and foods rich in omega-3s. Other lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious eye problems.
3. Practice daily eye protection. Always wear sunglasses that fully block UVA and UVB radiation, even on cloudy days and in the winter. When using tools or doing home improvement projects, wear safety glasses to prevent eye injuries. For those who wear contact lenses, proper handling and cleaning are essential to prevent infections.

Eye diseases, injuries and infections can cause the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped “lens” surface of the eye—to become cloudy or scarred, resulting in serious vision loss or blindness. For many, a corneal transplant is the only way to restore sight. These procedures have a high success rate and can dramatically improve quality of life.

In addition to taking good care of your own eyes, consider going one step further and registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Eye donation involves recovering the cornea, not the entire eye. One donor can restore sight for up to two people, and people of all ages and backgrounds can register as donors.

Learn more about giving the gift of sight at donateyourtissues.ca.