Basics of Good Retina Care
When most people think about eye care and eye health, their visual acuity (how clear their environment appears to them) is the first thing that comes to mind, there are many aspects to having healthy eyes and vision that are equally important as being able to see clearly.
One of the most important structures in your eyes is the retina, the light-sensing organ that translates wavelengths of light to electrical impulses your brain interprets as vision. Keeping your retina healthy throughout your life can help prevent the onset or development of retinal diseases and disorders, allowing you to see better for longer.
Eat a Balanced, Nutritious Diet
You may have heard that certain vitamins and minerals are “good for your eyes,” and while that is a little over-generalized, it tends to be true. Your eyes require specific compounds that your body may not be able to produce on its own, meaning it requires you to eat certain foods to keep them healthy. This is one of the many reasons to eat a varied diet of green vegetables, fresh fruit, and lean protein as a part of your lifestyle.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water regularly, especially if you’re exercising, sweating, or out in the sun, is important for your overall health as well as your eyes. Your eyes are directly exposed to the environment, meaning they lose water constantly and require constant replenishing of a protective layer of water by blinking or tearing. Staying hydrated also keeps your blood purified of toxins and flowing properly, a key to long-term retina health.
Exercise Regularly
There are dozens of proven and anecdotal benefits to regular exercise, including lowering the risk of retinal disease. Exercise can help people lose weight, reducing obesity’s risk factor for diabetes, which is directly correlated with retinal health. It also encourages blood flow, keeping the retinas well-supplied with the nutrients and oxygen they need to work properly.
Wear Sunglasses or Other Eye Protection
There’s a reason people tell you not to stare directly into the sun – it’s an incredibly bright light source that our retinas simply weren’t made to look at. And even without looking directly at it, the sun can damage the retinas with reflections off of bright or reflective surfaces like water or sand. In addition, unseen UV rays can also affect your eyes and retinas in a similar way that they can cause sunburn to your skin.
Get Regular Checkups
People under the age of 65 may not necessarily need regular eye appointments depending on their vision needs and family history of eye disease, but for older people, regular checkups are key to detecting issues early and getting treatment on time, rather than when it’s too late.
Retinal diseases like vein occlusions, retinal detachment, or spots in your vision can be treated by an ophthalmologist, and the tools available at Boston Vision are highly sensitive to these concerns, often able to pick up on warning signs before they become a hindrance to your vision.
Retina Care at Boston Vision
Our ophthalmologists throughout the greater Boston area are here to help you see clearly no matter what’s causing an issue with your vision. If you have a family history of retinal diseases like diabetic retinopathy or other concerns, you can feel free to schedule an appointment at a Boston Vision location nearest you to talk to a doctor about how you can best protect your retinal health. Call or contact us online today to get started.
