Sight Savers

Take these actions to help promote the health of your eyes:

1. Avoid eye injuries - Wear safety glasses in both work and recreation to prevent eye injuries caused by debris and equipment. Sixty percent of all eye injuries occur around the house.. safety glasses aren’t just for work!

2. Wear sunglasses - Lenses which protect you from ultra violet help prevent cataracts. Those which absorb "blue light" help to prevent macular degeneration. Even clear lenses can now provide 100% UV protection.

3. Live a healthy life - The better you take care of your body, the better your odds of being rewarded with healthy eyes.

• Avoid harmful substances - Tobacco and alcohol have toxic effects on your eyes. They decrease Vitamin C reserves and oxidize the lens, which can cause cataracts and blind spots. Caffeine dehydrates; drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day can help prevent dry eyes.
• Exercise regularly - Regular movement keeps the eye’s small blood vessels open and blood well oxygenated. Improved circulation feeds eye tissues and keeps them healthy.
• Get fresh air and sunshine - Fresh air also helps oxygenate blood. Sunshine helps your body produce Vitamin D and some hormones which promote your general health.
• Eat selectively - Eat more whole grains, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables. Eat fewer foods which decrease circulation and cause oxidation of eye tissues (e.g., foods high in fat, cholesterol, sugars, etc.). Take a vitamin and mineral supplement that is high in anti-oxidants. Beta carotene, vitamins C and E, manganese, copper, selenium and zinc have all been shown to be very important in the eye. USANA is one supplier of an excellent line of high quality vitamin supplements.

4. Keep your lids and lashes clean - A hot compress with a wet face cloth and a gentle scrub at the base of the eyelashes will get rid of oily build-up and other debris. Such build-up is a common cause of red, itchy, watery eyes and can also lead to eye infections.

5. Have regular eye examinations - An early diagnosis helps prevent many eye problems from becoming more severe. We recommend an eye exam every two years for most adults. Those under 18, or older than 65 should be checked every year. Of course, anyone with a sudden onset of symptoms should be checked regardless of when they would next be due.