Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

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Why should Latinos care about their eye health?

Latinos have higher rates of developing vision loss, diabetic eye disease, cataracts, and other eye conditions than their white peers, according to recent eye research.

For Healthy Vision Month in May, the National Eye Institute has several ways you can get involved:

• Learn how to keep your eyes healthy and safe
• Spread the word about eye health and safety
• Get to know Healthy Vision Month partners (including our team at Salud America!)

Also, here are five important ways to keep your eyes healthy.

Get an eye exam
Did you know that more than 23 million American adults have never had an eye exam? If your eyes feel healthy, it’s easy to assume they are healthy. But getting an eye exam is the only way to be sure. Many serious eye diseases don’t have any warning signs — so you could have an eye problem and not know it. Getting an eye exam is the single best way to stay on top of your eye health!

Know your family’s eye health history
Talking to your family members about their eye health can help you find out if you’re at higher risk for eye disease. If you learn that eye diseases run in your family, talk with your eye doctor.

Give your eyes a rest
If you spend a lot of time at the computer, you may sometimes forget to blink — and that can tire out your eyes. To reduce eyestrain, try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your work and focus about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.

Eat eye-healthy foods
A diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables — especially dark leafy greens, like spinach or kale — is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids — like salmon, tuna, and halibut — can also help protect your vision.

Wear sunglasses (even on cloudy days!)
Sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays — and help keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp. When shopping for shades, look for a pair that blocks out at least 99% of both UVA and UVB radiation.

Additionally, here are seven vital eye health tips for Latinos, who struggle with glaucoma.

Be sure to keep an eye on your eye health!