May is Healthy Vision Month — a national eye health observance established by the National Eye Institute (NEI.) Healthy Vision Month is a time to raise awareness about eye health, including strategies to help prevent vision loss and blindness.
There are lots of ways you can get involved, but the NEI says the most important thing you can do right now is get an eye exam — and encourage the people you care about to get one too!
A major concern for many people as they age is cataracts. If you or someone you know needs Cataract Surgery in Orange County, contact Dr. Ghosheh at Advanced Eye Medical.
Get Regular Eye Exams
There are over 320 Million adults living in the United States today. Can you imagine that nearly 23 Million Americans have never had an eye exam? One common reason for this astonishing fact is that when people’s eyes “feel” healthy, they assume they are healthy.
The truth is, many of us don’t realize we could see better with glasses or contacts until we have our eyes tested in a routine exam. In addition, many serious eye diseases do not have any warning signs!
For example, there is not much we can do to prevent cataracts from forming, but Advanced Eye Medical offers several treatment options including Cataract Surgery in Orange County.
Getting regular eye exams (every two years for most people) is the best way to stay on top of your eye health.
Know Your Family’s Ocular History
You may have figured out that your eye color was passed down through the generations. You may also know that certain diseases are inherited genetically. But did you know that many eye diseases can also run in families?
According to the Royal National Institute on Blind People (RNIB,) bilateral cataracts (in both eyes) are a trait which a baby can inherit. Up to 23 percent of total congenital cataracts (present at birth) cases are inherited from the parents. However, most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up your eye lens.
Talk to your parents and other family members about their eye health and history. Find out what has happened in the past, and if there are any common threads that run through time. If you learn that eye diseases do run in your family, make sure to talk to your eye doctor about it.
And if you think you may be dealing with cataracts, don’t wait! To find out about cataract surgery in Orange County, reach out to Dr. Ghosheh today.
Reduce Eye Strain
If you work on a computer all day or do some other task where you are focusing hard on one specific thing (like a TV screen, tablet, or control panel, for example,) your eyes can get tired out easily. You may even forget to blink – leaving your eyes achy at the end of the day.
As a fix, try the NEI’s “20-20-20 Rule:” Every 20 minutes, take a mini-break to look away from your work and focus 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds. This should significantly reduce eye strain, refreshing and strengthening your vision.
Shop for Eyewear
Sunglasses aren’t just a stylish accessory, they protect your eyes from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. Buy a pair that block out at least 99 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.
According to Web MD, one common cause of cataracts is from free-radicals which form inside the lens whenever the eye is exposed to UV radiation from sunlight. Over time, the free-radicals can cause considerable damage to the lens, creating cataracts.
Wearing sunglasses even on cloudy days will keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp. If you feel like going the extra mile, add a wide-brimmed hat for ultra-protection!
Protective Eyewear, like safety glasses, goggles, and safety shields, keep your eyes safe from injury.
The top places where people injure their eyes are at work and playing sports. Approximately 2,000 people in the United States get a work-related eye injury every day… and people with sports-related eye injuries go to the ER every 13 minutes!
Eat for Eye Health
It’s important to eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables to keep your eyes healthy. Some foods that are particularly good for your eyes are
• Carrots
• Dark leafy greens (i.e. spinach, kale, or collard greens)
• Fatty fish (i.e. salmon, tuna, or halibut)
• Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. flax seeds/oil or eggs)
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help you stay at a healthy weight. People who become overweight or obese are more likely to develop diabetes and other health problems that lead to vision loss. If you are concerned about your weight, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
Cataract Surgery in Orange County
Dr. Ghosheh at Advanced Eye Medical can recommend the correct treatment for your cataracts, including Cataract Surgery in Orange County. He also performs iLASIK surgery, eyelid surgery, and non-surgical facial rejuvenation at his offices in Orange County. Contact Dr. Ghosheh today with any questions or to schedule a consultation!