Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy

By Jacqueline Griffiths, MD

NewView Laser Eye, Inc.

. http://www.NewViewEyeCenter.com

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Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy

Preventive eye care is important to everyone because eye conditions and diseases that can destroy you and your family’s healthy vision can strike at any time in life, from newborn to old age. Read below for suggested guidelines on when you and your family should have your eyes checked.Infants and toddlers should be screened for common eye problems, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and Amblyopia (lazy eye) during their regular pediatric appointments. Vision testing is recommended for all children starting at around three years of age.

Most children and teenagers have healthy eyes, but they still need to take care of their vision by wearing protective eyewear when playing sports, doing yard work, working with chemicals or taking part in other activities that could cause an eye injury.

Even young adults and middle-aged individuals can be affected by eye problems, so preventive measures should be taken to detect eye diseases early and to protect eye from injury. These individuals should have a complete eye exam at least once between the ages of 20 and 29, at least twice between the ages of 30 and 39 and every two to four years between the ages of 40 and 65.

Seniors over age 65 should have a complete eye exam by their Eye M.D. every one to two years for cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.

The suggested examination guidelines are:

• Ages zero to two screening during regular pediatric appointments
• Ages three to five screening every one to two years during regular primary care appointments
• Ages six to 19 schedule examinations as needed
• Ages 20 to 29 one examination
• Ages 30 to 39 two examinations
• Ages 40 to 65 examination every two to four years
• Ages 65 and over examination every one to two years

But check with your Eye M.D. to see how often you should have a complete eye exam if any of the following risk factors affect you:

• History of eye injury
• Diabetes
• Family history of eye problems
• African American over age 40

Protecting your eyes from accidents, early detection, and treatment of eye problems are the best ways to keep your healthy vision throughout life. If you and your family are at risk for eye disease or experience any eye problems, visit your Eye M.D. promptly.

Find out what it takes to preserve your vision and prevent common eye problems. How many of these questions about vision can you answer correctly?

1. Which of the following habits can weaken your eyes?

a. Watching television sitting too close to the screen

b. Smoking

c. Reading in dim light

d. Not wearing prescription lenses if you need them

2. Which vitamin(s) should you take to protect your eyes if they’re sensitive to light?

a. B₁

b. B₂

c. B₁₂

d. All of the above

3. Eating which of the following foods helps prevent and alleviate conjunctivitis?

a. Apples

b. Broccoli

c. Eggs

d. Yogurt

4. Menopause can cause dry eyes.

a. True

b. False

5. Eating which food prevents macular degeneration?

a. Eggs

b. Bran

c. Mushrooms

d. Spinach

6. Which of the following minerals should you take to relieve an eyelid twitch?

a. Copper

b. Iron

c. Magnesium

d. Zinc

7. When is it most important to wear sunglasses?

a. During the summer

b. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

c. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

d. During the winter

8. Which of the following drugs makes your eyes more sensitive to sunlight?

a. Antibiotics

b. Aspirin

c. Oral contraceptives

d. All of above

9. Taking high doses of zinc can cause macular degeneration.

a. True

b. False

10. A poorly functioning liver can cause glaucoma.

a. True

b. False