If there ever was a year to think about your vision and eye health, it would be this year...2020.
With the New Year, many of us take time to reflect on the previous year and then make resolutions to better ourselves in the upcoming year.
Here are 5 things that we can all do to help maintain our best eyesight possible.
Yearly Eye Exams
During the exam, you current level of vision is assessed. Then it will be determined if anything can be done to help improve the quality of your vision, such as a change in glasses/contact lenses or surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery.
The doctor will examine the surface of your eyes for any signs of dry eye or other conditions that could impact the quality of your vision or comfort of your eyes. The clarity of the crystalline lens will be examined. The pressure within the eye will be measured; having an elevated eye pressure is a risk factor for developing glaucoma. By dilating your pupil, your doctor will be able to examine your retina and optic nerve.
Your eye exam can detect health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, drug toxicity, cancer and more.
Know Your Family History
By knowing your family history, you are better educated on conditions you have an increased likelihood of developing. Glaucoma, macular degeneration, early cataracts nearsightedness and astigmatism are conditions that a person is more likely to develop if they have a history of it in their family.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration, cataract and dry eye. Each of these conditions can affect the quality of a person’s vision, some permanently.
Eat Right
A healthy diet is not only good for your general health, but it is good for your eyes as well. Omega-3’s or fish oil have been shown to be effective at minimizing dry eye symptoms. Antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin are beneficial at slowing the development of macular degeneration. Vitamin C has been demonstrated to slow the development of cataracts.
Wear Sunglasses and Safety Glasses
Wearing the proper eyewear is helpful at preserving one’s vision. Sunglasses that block out the sun’s ultraviolet rays have been shown to minimize the risk of developing both cataracts and macular degeneration. Safety glasses help to protect the eyes from injury during activities such as playing racquetball, grinding metal or working with chemicals.
The doctors at Summit Eye Center specialize in the surgical and medical management of eye conditions. They routinely manage patients with conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. They work closely with other eye doctors in the Kansas City area to collaborate in the treatment of these conditions. They also work closely with other doctors such as primary care physicians, endocrinologists, neurologists, rheumatologists and more.
They also specialize in surgical vision correction with procedures such as LASIK and refractive lens exchange. These procedures help patients minimize their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
To schedule an evaluation, call 816-246-2111 or email