Concern 1: Why Are My Eyes Dry and Itchy?
We addressed dry eyes in greater depth in a previous post, but in short, dry eyes are a result of too few or the wrong kind of tears. Either your body is not producing enough tears, your tears are evaporating too quickly, or your tears are lacking important moisturizing components. Certain medical conditions, diet and nutrition, and environmental factors can lead to dry eyes. If you have taken steps to improve your dry eyes, but still experience discomfort, make sure you schedule an exam with your eye doctor.
Concern 2: When Should My Child Visit the Eye Doctor?
As soon as possible, your child’s eyes should be examined at least by a pediatrician at their regularly scheduled appointments. By age three to four, your child should begin annual screenings for amblyopia (lazy eye) and alignment tests. If you suspect your child’s vision may be reduced, it is vital to have them examined as soon as possible.
Concern 3: Should I Have Regular Eye Exams as an Adult?
You never age out of the need for regular eye exams. From ages 20-39, your eyes should be examined at least every three years. If you are forty or older, you should schedule an eye exam at least annually or every two years. Even if you have 20/20 vision, you should have your eyes examined regularly.
Concern 4: Does My Health Affect My Vision?
Diet, exercise, and overall health can have a profound impact on your eye health and vision. At Asheville Vision Associates, we often discuss the connection between our health and how well we see. Issues that can negatively impact your vision and eye health include:
- Tobacco Usage
- Obesity
- Heart Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Vitamin Deficiency
- Poor Nutrition and exercise
Proper diet and exercise and avoiding tobacco usage will go a long way to maintaining your eye health and protecting your vision. Foods that keep your eyes healthy include:
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- 8 Glasses (8 oz each) of Water
- Healthy Herbs and Spices
- Saffron
- Cayenne
- Green Tea
- Tumeric
- Garlic
- Grass-fed meats.
- Fish/seafood.
- Fresh fruits.
- Fresh vegetables.
- Eggs.
- Nuts.
- Seeds.
- Healthy oils (olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut)
If you want to know more about how implementing healthy eating and exercise habits will affect your eyes, schedule an appointment with Asheville Vision Associates.
Concern 5: How Does Screen Time Affect My Eyes?
Adults in America spend in excess of 11 hours per day looking at some kind of screen, whether it is a computer monitor, phone, or television. While there is no evidence that screen time can cause permeant damage to your eyes, it can cause eye strain and discomfort. If your job requires you to stare at a computer monitor, practice 20-20-20. Every 20-minutes give yourself a 20-second break to look away from your computer to an object 20-feet away.
Concern 6: Should I Wear Sunglasses?
Sunglasses do provide important UV protection, but it is still vital to your eye health to avoid staring directly into the sun. For more about sunglasses, their benefits, and how to get your own prescription lenses, contact us.
We will continue posting about common eye care concerns, but if you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment with our experienced optometrists.