Resolve to Protect Your Eyes for 2021

The year 2020 initially seemed like a great year for eye care professionals everywhere, 20/20, right? A certain virus walked into the room and spoiled not only the fun of those numbers, but the entire year for everyone on the planet. And it’s not done yet. But at least there’s an end in sight, pardon the pun.

While everyone typically sees the New Year as a time for changes in their lives, made through those ubiquitous “resolutions,” this year there are probably even more than ever.

Since at Wilkinson Eye Center we’re all about your eyes, how about you resolve to protect your peepers for 2021? To that end, here are nine things to do:

Give them some respect

No one wants to lose their eyesight. But despite the critical nature of having our vision, most people take their eyesight for granted. They don’t get their eyes checked with our expert team at Wilkinson; they don’t wear protective eyewear when performing tasks such as weed whacking or playing sports; they don’t wear sunglasses; and on and on.

At Wilkinson Eye Center, your vision is our obsession. Here are nine tips for protecting it.

1. Know your family history of eye disease — Find out if you are at higher risk for issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Are you over 65 or African American over 40? Any of those traits can put you at a higher risk for eye disease, making regular eye exams with one of our Wilkinson eye doctors even more important.
2. Check your blood pressure and check for possible diabetes — Both of these diseases lead to eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. A physical will bring them to light and you can make the necessary lifestyle adjustments.
3. Watch for changes in your vision — Double vision, trouble seeing in low light, red eyes, frequent flashes of light, floaters, eye pain. All of these symptoms need immediate attention.
4. Protect your eyes from the sun — Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. Why? UV rays cause cataracts and other eye problems.
5. Eat better — Studies are showing that eating antioxidants such as blueberries and broccoli can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. And eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration.
6. Exercise more — Regular exercise can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by up to 70 percent.
7. Don’t smoke — Smokers are more prone to developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, uveitis, and other eye problems.
8. Get your eyes checked at least every two years — Many eye conditions don’t present symptoms until they are already beginning to damage your vision. But a comprehensive eye exam, including dilating your pupils, can determine your risk of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.
9. Wear protective eyewear — When playing sports, working with tools, doing yard work and the like, wear protective eyewear. It doesn’t matter if you think it looks geeky: it’s not geeky to have enduring vision.

Take care of your eyes and they’ll take care of you. Is it time for your next eye exam with our expert team at Wilkinson Eye Center? Call us at (248) 334-4931 to make an appointment at either out Pontiac or Clarkston locations.