Sight Sense

Healthy Vision in 5 Easy Steps

Get Regular, comprehensive eye exams
- Early, preventative care is the best way to detect many vision and health issues before they occur.
Protect your eyes

Wear goggles for sports, eye protection when you work, and sunglasses whenever necessary. Brimmed hats also help.
- Wear goggles in situations where things can get into your eyes – situations or classes where you are working with chemicals; wood shop; metal shop; science lab; art classes such as pottery making, sculpting, or welding.
- Wear eye protection when playing racquetball, hockey, skiing or other sports that could injure your eyes.
- Wear sunglasses! Too much light can damage your eyes and cause vision problems, such as cataracts, later in life. Wear good quality sunglasses are rated to block 99-100% of both UVA radiation (which penetrates deeper into the eye), and UVB radiation (which tends to damage the cornea and the lens).
- Wearing a brimmed cap or hat can reduce UV radiation entering the eye by at least half.
Ask about lens options

There are lens solutions to fit every need and lifestyle – eyeglasses, contact lenses, and intraocular lenses. Explore the options with your doctor.
Recognize the signs and watch for symptoms

Many things impact your vision including age, lifestyle, sports, changes in vision, headaches or eye pain, medical conditions, genetic predispositions, and medications. Talk to your eye care professional about the particulars of your life so that together you can effectively manage your vision health care.
Recognize and seek treatment from qualified professionals

Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean that you have to settle for poor vision. There are many options and with today’s advancement in eye care and technology, the options are better than ever! Seek treatment when necessary from qualified doctors.

In the Know: Additional Sight Sense Information

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY: Computer screens and visual display units can be hard on your eyes. Some tips to relieve eye strain include taking a 10-15 minute break every hour, blinking often, and looking away from screen every now and then into distance or simply another focal point.
EXTRAS!: Vitamins and supplements also contribute to healthy eyes including antioxidants; beta carotene; lutein; selenium; vitamins A, B2, C, and E; and zinc oxide.
FAMILY HISTORY: Knowing the facts about your heritage and family medical history is important and can provide vital information and things to watch for especially with conditions that may be hereditary.
HEALTHY DIET: Maintaining a healthy diet is also good for your eyes! Eating carrots and leafy green vegetables does help improve your vision.
LIGHT SENSITIVITY: Certain things can make your eyes more sensitive to light including use of artificial sweeteners, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, hypertension medications, diuretics, and anti-diabetic medications. Check with your doctor if you have any questions or are experiencing any symptoms related to light sensitivity.
LIGHT TO SEE: Lighting is important at any age but normal, healthy eyes at the age of 40 or 50 need twice as much illumination as they do at 20, and three times as much at 60. Use an adjustable light for close work. Your eyes will thank you for the extra light and you’ll be able to see more clearly.
TIRED EYES? Soothe tired eyes with damp teabags or a slice of cucumber on each closed eye for 10 minutes. What a relief!