How to Prevent Eye Diseases

Vision is the arguably the most important sense of the body and as such your eyes must be protected. As you grow older, however, you become susceptible to certain eye diseases. According to the Harvard Medical School, the four most common eye diseases for people above 40 years of age are glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy (See References 1). With knowledge, some of these eye diseases are preventable.

Instructions

• 1

  Set a regular eye exam appointment. Children usually get their eyes checked every three years at school. If you have no problems or symptoms you can get them checked once in your 20s and once in your 30s. When you hit 40 years of age, you must get your eyes examined every two or three years for diseases, some of which do not have symptoms in the early stages.

• 2

  Avoid smoking to decrease risk. Smoking increases your risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

• 3

  Eat healthy and exercise. Eating balanced meals full of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene each day will help to keep your eyes healthy. Exercise can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of developing problems such as diabetes that increase your risk of eye disease.

• 4

  Protect your eyes from the sun. Ultraviolet rays are linked to macular degeneration and cataracts. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to reduce exposure to ultraviolet rays and decrease your risk for disease.