Preventive care is the key to lasting eye health. The respected optometrists at Progressive Vision Group in High Point, NC, stress eye care to prevent a variety of problems later in life, including age-related diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Use the tips below to keep your eyes clear and healthy:

Do:

Schedule regular eye exams. 

Schedule eye exams as frequently as your optometrist recommends. How often you require vision tests depends on your age, current eye health, and ocular disease risk. Request a glaucoma test with every eye exam—this brief and inexpensive test checks for disease symptoms to give you peace of mind.

Consume an eye-healthy diet.

Enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet rich in eye-healthy foods, such as those high in beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, and other foods with beta-carotene and lutein improve eyesight and protect against cataracts and macular degeneration. Vitamins A and C help eye cells repair themselves quickly while improving resistance to infections and diseases.

Perform eye exercises regularly. 

Get in the habit of performing eye exercises every day to keep yours healthy and avoid problems such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eyestrain. Optometrists also recommend exercises for issues such as double vision and amblyopia, or lazy eye.

Don’t:

Forget to hydrate.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dry eyes and other dehydration symptoms. Dry eyes cannot protect against assorted irritants due to insufficient lubrication. They also increase the risk of infection because the eye muscles must work harder. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and use eye drops as necessary.

Smoke or use chewing tobacco. 

Avoid smoking cigarettes and cigars to decrease your risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Tobacco use also increases the chance of optic nerve damage and the risk of many other health problems.

Stare at screens too long.

Avoid staring at a computer or television screen too long to prevent dry, irritated eyes at greater risk for strain and fatigue. Take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to give your eyes a rest.

Consider the friendly and experienced optometrists at Progressive Vision Group your eye care partners. Whether you need a routine exam, new prescription glasses, or a professional diagnosis, these doctors are here to help you maintain your eye health. Call (336) 841-2028 today to make an appointment or visit the optometrists online for more information. Follow their Google+ page for additional tips and resources.