Although you probably take your vision for granted, it might be time to take better care of your eyes, as the number of people in the US who suffer from poor eyesight that isn’t correctable with lenses is on the increase. While researchers believe theincreasing number of eye problems is closely linked to the growing number of cases of type 2 diabetes, which when poorly controlled is a common cause of blindness, diabetes isn’t the only factor related to lifestyle that can put your eye health at risk. You’re no doubt already familiar with the need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light and the development of cataracts, but there are various other steps you can take to safeguard your eye health. In fact, you may not realize that lifestyle choices linked to chronic health problems are also bad news for your eyesight.
OBESITY
Not many people have heard of it, but around 100,000 people suffer from idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the US, and what most of them have in common is that they are significantly overweight. Typical symptoms include blind spots, poor vision in the periphery, double vision and temporary loss of sight. However, as many as 10% of people with the condition lose their sight permanently. While drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma show promise for managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can improve symptoms, and avoiding excess weight gain can prevent the problem arising from the outset.
Although you probably take your vision for granted, it might be time to take better care of your eyes, as the number of people in the US who suffer from poor eyesight that isn’t correctable with lenses is on the increase. While researchers believe theincreasing number of eye problems is closely linked to the growing number of cases of type 2 diabetes, which when poorly controlled is a common cause of blindness, diabetes isn’t the only factor related to lifestyle that can put your eye health at risk. You’re no doubt already familiar with the need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light and the development of cataracts, but there are various other steps you can take to safeguard your eye health. In fact, you may not realize that lifestyle choices linked to chronic health problems are also bad news for your eyesight.
OBESITY
Not many people have heard of it, but around 100,000 people suffer from idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the US, and what most of them have in common is that they are significantly overweight. Typical symptoms include blind spots, poor vision in the periphery, double vision and temporary loss of sight. However, as many as 10% of people with the condition lose their sight permanently. While drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma show promise for managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can improve symptoms, and avoiding excess weight gain can prevent the problem arising from the outset.
SMOKING
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in older adults and while advancing age and a family history of the disease is most commonly associated with its development, whether you smoke also influences your risk of this eye condition. Indeed, research indicates that smoking makes you more than twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration as a non-smoker, with recent investigations showing that tar and other components of cigarette smoke are deposited in the retina. If you already smoke, this is yet another reason to encourage you to quit.
HEAVY DRINKING
While you probably don’t imagine that the amount you drink could harm your eyes, there is evidence to suggest this is the case. Current alcohol recommendations advise that women should drink no more than 7 drinks over the week and men at most 14 drinks, with a study showing that having more than 2 alcoholic drinks daily makes you significantly more likely to need cataract surgery. However, there is no need to avoid alcohol altogether, as the same study found that drinking within recommended limits poses a lower risk of cataracts than not drinking at all.
POOR INTAKE OF MICRONUTRIENTS
Although it is often said that eating carrots regularly aids your vision thanks to their beta-carotene content, this isn’t the only nutrient that you need for good eyesight. Your body also needs a daily supply of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, as they all have different roles in promoting the health of your eyes. As these nutrients are provided by a diverse range of foods, from oily fish for omega-3 fatty acids to green and orange fruit and vegetables for lutein, it is essential that you eat a balanced diet every day, including all food groups. Failure to do so can leave you short on micronutrients, which in the long-term can impair your vision. While a balanced micronutrient supplement offers a safety net, the same benefits may not be gained as obtaining these vitamins and minerals naturally from foods.
INACTIVITY
Regular exercise doesn’t simply keep your heart and lungs in good condition and help you to maintain a healthy weight, it may also offer protection against age-related macular degeneration. Even though this is still a relatively new area of research, scientists demonstrated in animal studies that an hour of exercise on 5 days of the week protected the structure and function of the retina when exposed to conditions likely to induce damage. Indeed, mice who exercised had twice as many functioning photoreceptors after exposure to bright light than the inactive mice did. Although studies in humans are needed to see whether an active lifestyle protects against retinal damage over time, with the range of health benefits already offered by physical activity, taking daily exercise is advisable.
POOR SEXUAL HEALTH
Sexually transmitted infections don’t just infect your reproductive organs; they can affect your eye health as well. You may be aware that chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pink eye, but did you know that it is also possible for herpes to infect your eyesas well? Although infections of herpes are sometimes asymptomatic, when it affects your eyes you may notice signs of conjunctivitis and tiny skin lesions around your eye. If it is your initial outbreak, you may also experience a fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes. Whatever your symptoms, it is important you seek medical advice, as if untreated herpes in the eye can damage your cornea and permanently affect your vision. Once you have the herpes virus, it can recur at any time, though minimizing stress, achieving a balance between rest and exercise, and eating a nutritious diet help to enhance your immune function to reduce the risk of further outbreaks. However, the best action is to protect yourself from STIs by practicing safe sex and taking a yearly STD check to confirm you are free from these infections.