(NAPS)—Did you know that more than 23 million American adults have never had an eye exam? May is Healthy Vision Month—and the National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute (NEI) urges all Americans to make vision a focus.
Take steps to protect your vision today, so you can see the people and things you love for years to come.
Get an eye exam—Since many eye diseases and conditions have no early symptoms, an eye exam is the best way to find out how healthy your eyes are and if you are seeing your best. Talk to your eye care professional about how often you should have an eye exam.
Eat eye-healthy foods—The foods you eat can help you protect your vision. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables—especially dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens—as well as fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna, and halibut.
Give your eyes a rest—Spending a lot of time in front of a computer can tire out your eyes. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something that’s at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Know your family’s eye health history—Ask your family members about their eye health. Because most eye conditions run in the family, knowing your family history can help you tell if you’re at higher risk. If you learn that someone in your family has an eye disease or diabetes, talk to your eye doctor.
Wear sunglasses—even on cloudy days! Sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. When buying sunglasses, look for ones that block at least 99 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.
Don’t take your vision for granted—take steps to protect it! To learn more, check out the Healthy Vision Month website: https://nei.nih.gov/hvm.