There are many who do not recognize the dangers of a trip that can cause in our eyes. High sun exposure, constant tiredness, and skipping exams can very easily be fatal in spreading a symptom that can damage our eyesight. One-sixth of adults experience a condition that threatens their vision, and many more will share a vision loss as they get older. Some of the significant causes of blindness are related to age, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, there are some tips we can follow to minimize our risks and keep our eyes as healthy as possible during our travels and throughout our lives.
Develop healthy lifestyle habits
Healthy eating is not only an excellent way to stay healthy but also to help our eyes stay healthy! In particular, try to make fruits and vegetables an essential part of your diet and exercise regularly – even on your travels. It is equally important to avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking. Smoking, in particular, is a considerable risk factor for many vision-threatening situations.
Schedule regular exams
If left untreated, chronic conditions and some other more immediate conditions that burden your eyesight can lead to serious eye-health problems. Diabetes is associated with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and someone with high blood pressure without treatment is more prone to hypertensive retinopathy, brain damage. All this can lead to permanent vision loss, which is why regular check-ups are essential for eye health.
The earlier a chronic condition is diagnosed, the sooner you can start receiving appropriate treatment. Trusting a trusted ophthalmologist, who will advise you and give solutions to your vision problems, is the secret to maintaining the health of your eyes. So if you are traveling in the Southampton area, look for a specialist optician in Southampton, who, with his knowledge and experience, will treat any eye problem for you.
Watch for changes in your vision
The vision changes tend to be very gradual, making them difficult to notice at first. If you see a difference, make an appointment for an eye exam. Whether it is the early stages of a severe eye condition or you just need routine medication, it is vital to consult an experienced ophthalmologist. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden eye pain, swelling, or red eyes.
Learn the risk factors for eye diseases
If your family has a history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, this could mean that you are at greater risk of developing them too. Age is also a considerable risk factor. We may not always know if we belong to these high-risk categories, but we can take proper precautions such as following a regular eye exam and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Keeping our eyes safe from harmful UV rays is not so easy. We must make sure that the sunglasses we choose are specially designed to block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. If they do, it will be written on their label. Sunglasses that do not block UV rays can actually be worse than no sunglasses at all because they reduce the protection of our eyes.