Every year, the National Eye Institute recognizes May as Healthy Vision Month. This year, the focus is on families and how they can team up to protect their vision together. Eye health is an important component of overall wellness for you and your loved ones. We’re sharing a few healthy eye tips for the whole family to keep in mind below. Keep reading to learn more.

Why is eye health important?

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The eyes are the window to the body.” Do you know why that is? During your eye exam, an optometrist will dilate your eyes in order to view the structures inside the eye. Typically, abnormalities in the blood vessels, optic nerve, and macula can indicate eye diseases. 

What diseases can an eye exam reveal?

When looking at the blood vessels in your eyes, an optometrist can discover potential health conditions like:

• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Brain tumors
• Diabetes
• Macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma

Of course, we always hope your eye exam will not reveal any of the serious conditions listed above. That’s why we recommend that our patients be proactive and schedule a yearly eye exam for themselves and their family members.

Tips to keep your eyes healthy all year round

Now that you understand the importance of scheduling a yearly eye exam, here are other ways you can keep your eyes (and your family’s eyes) as healthy as possible.

• Wear proper eye protection: We all like to wear sunglasses in the summer but don’t forget to sport proper eye protection year-round. Harmful UV rays can damage the eyes in the summer months and in cooler temperatures. 
• Make healthy lifestyle choices: It’s important for your family to practice healthy lifestyle habits. This can mean anything from staying active to maintaining a healthy diet. A healthy body will reveal itself during your annual eye exam.
• Check your family history: Some eye conditions are genetic, so be sure to look into your family’s eye health history. You will want to alert your optometrist about any eye conditions that are hereditary. 
• Avoid smoking: Smoking is one of the most harmful things you can do to the body. Smoking increases your risk of developing harmful diseases, including eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and more.

Schedule an eye exam at Eye2Eye

Are you interested in scheduling a comprehensive eye exam for you and your family? Eye2Eye is here to help. Eye2Eye is Alexandria’s go-to for personalized eyecare and eyewear with an emphasis on specialized services such as myopia, custom contact lenses, and dry eyes. Our experienced staff provides honest and comprehensive eye care services to our community using the latest technology and products. We are committed to caring for Everything Eyes ® and look forward to having you visit our clinics. Schedule your appointment request and our patient coordinator will contact you to schedule your visit Eye2Eye through our easy contact form.