Peepers

While this site is about mature fitness and anything associated with that subject I sometimes run across points of interest that look worth mentioning. “Protecting Those Peepers”--nine ways to safeguard your vision by Dorothy Foltz-Gray is that type of article and here goes(I will add my own two cents if I think it needs to be there, noted with MG).

• Have regular eye exams, rule of thumb from ages 18-60, get an eye exam every two years. At age 60 and older, see the eye doctor yearly. Do the complete tests which are normally done as a common practice.

• Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of ultraviolet rays, also get out your broad-rimmed hat to help shield eyes frm the sun. If you wear contacts then get ones that have UV inhibitors, which also block UV rays.

• Wear safety goggles if there is any chance of something polking the eyeballs, i.e. woodworking, racket sports, or rule of thumb is if anything is flying around you then wear safety glasses.

• If you’re diabetic, control your blood sugar. That is the most critical component to preventing retinal damage from diabetes.

• Never sleep in your contacts, if so the risk of infections increases twentyfold.

• Eat an eye-healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green, leafy vegetable. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and the nutrient lutein which is very effective in preventing macular degeneration. Also, eat fatty fish, such as salmon at least twice a week.

• Quit smoking--Wow I thought everyone had quit smoking, until I go into a smoke filled room. Smoking is a primary risk factor for macular degeneration. All kinds of bad things comes from smoking which is a very expensive and disgusting habit--MG.

• Take a computer break. Since you don’t blink as much as usual when staring at a computer screen it is necessary to slip away from the screen for a while and give your peepers a rest.

• Don’t rub your eyes since rubbing can damage the eye’s surface, instead flush your eye with water and see your eye doctor.

mike greer