Yearly Archives: 2017

Your eyes are a vital component of your overall health. There are a number of things you need to do make sure your vision is in the best shape possible. Follow these tips to ensure your eyes are healthy now and for many years to come.

Know your family’s eye health history

Ask your family members about their eye health history. It is important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with any eye conditions or diseases since many of these are hereditary. This information will help you determine if you are at a higher risk of developing an eye condition or disease.

Eat better for better eyes

Your eyes are what you eat. You will need to eat more than carrots, however, to keep your vision in tip-top shape. Eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and collard greens. Several studies also show fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon and halibut, can be beneficial to your eyes.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you avoid these issues.

Wear shades

Anytime you are outside and the sun is out, you should have some shades on. Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Get an annual eye exam

When was your last eye exam? Getting your eyes checked at least once per year is recommended by vision professionals.
Each of the tips above will help you maintain healthy vision throughout your lifetime. If you are due for an eye exam or need to get your eyes checked due any issue or anything else concerning you, schedule an appointment with our staff at Utah Eye Centers by calling 801-476-0494.

Maintain Healthy Eyes

The cold, dry air of winter can be harmful to your eyes. With less humidity and reflected UV radiation, it can be difficult to keep your eyes in optimal condition. Thankfully, there are several solutions that can help keep you protect your vision during the winter, including:

Keep your eyes moist

While the outdoor air is dry during the winter, the indoor air is as well. Make sure you have plenty of house plants as well as humidifiers and diffusers in your home to ensure optimal moisture. When you are outside or away from home, carry moisturizing drops with you to keep your eyes moisturized.

Wear sunglasses

The sun can wreak a lot of havoc on your eyes during the winter. Wearing sunglasses while you drive or when you’re outside can protect your vision from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Not all sunglasses are great to use, however. When buying a pair, check to see that they block 99 to 100 percent of UV radiation.

Wear glasses more than contacts

If you wear your contacts too long during the day and while you’re outside, they can easily dry your eyes out. Consider wearing eyeglasses more often than contacts to ensure optimal moisture.

These three tips will help to keep your eyes moisturized and healthy during the winter. Do you have any ideas to keep your eyes healthy?

Keep your eyes safe

If you’re not careful, the harmful UV rays can wreak havoc on on your eyes, even during the winter. Many people often don’t think the winter season would be harmful to their eyes, but the reality is with snow and the sun still shining, you still can get sunburn as well as eye damage.

Wear sunglasses while driving

If you wear sunglasses in the car while driving, it can make a big difference in your overall eye health. Plus, the sun can make the snow look brighter, which can at times make it harder to see. With sunglasses, you will be able to see things more clearly and overall be more safe.

Keep your eyes moisturized

Especially in drier climates where there is little to no moisture, using rewetting drops or something similar can help to keep your eyes from drying out. The cold temperatures can be harsh on your eyes and can dry them out as well.

If you are going to be outside for awhile, wear sunglasses

Are you going skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or taking a leisurely winter hike? You will want to be sure to don some shades to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

These tips are just a few of many you should implement during the winter to keep your eyes safe. How do you keep your eyes in great condition during the winter? We would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

You spend a lot of time and money on your eyeglasses, so why shouldn’t you take the best care of them possible? If you know how to properly clean, handle and store your eyeglasses, they will definitely stand the test of time.

Here are some tips to ensure your glasses will last as long as possible:

Rinse

Make sure you always rinse your glasses off with water before you wipe or clean them. Rinsing will help clean off any dust or dirt particles that settle on your lens.

Air dry and use the right cloth

If you can wait for a bit after rinsing your glasses, let them air dry. This is the best way to ensure no materials will get on your lens. If you can’t wait, use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth.

Grip firmly

When you clean your glasses make sure you grip firmly the piece that crosses the bridge of the nose. This will prevent you from bending the frame while you clean your glasses.

Store properly

When you are not wearing your glasses, store them in a case. Most glasses come already with a case to put them in. Keeping them in the case will prevent your specs from getting scratched, bent or broken. Make sure your case is also in a safe place away from children.

Place carefully

If you ever need to put your glasses down for a minute, make sure you never put them with the glasses’ lens down. This will ultimately lead to scratched lenses.

Wash often

Wash your glasses at least once a day to ensure they stay in great condition.

If you want to have your glasses in the best shape possible, make sure you follow all of these tips. Also, if you’re tired of wearing glasses and want a change, you might want to consider LASIK.

Just like there are foods that are good for your eyes like carrots and leafy greens, there are also foods that can be damaging to your eyes as well. Your eyes are vascular, which means they are full of tiny blood vessels that can easily be blocked by fatty deposits if you eat unhealthy foods.

There are several foods that you would typically expect to be unhealthy, but others may, in fact, surprise you. Here are five foods that you should avoid or eat seldom to ensure optimal eye health.

Crackers

This food might be a surprise to you. Crackers, however, are typically loaded with trans fats, which can clog up your eye vessels and cut off oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to decreased or distorted vision or even eye stroke.

Margarine and vegetable oils

These foods are not natural and are made using chemicals and processing. They are also high in polyunsaturated fats, which can easily oxidize in the body. Oxidized fats can then cause mutations in cells and inflammation, which can ultimately lead to clogged arteries.

Fried foods

Most fried foods in the United States are made with canola oil, which is high in polyunsaturated fats. This can lead to clogged arteries and even high blood pressure, which can be dangerous to your eyes.

Sweetened drinks

These drinks such as soda and fruit juices often contain high fructose corn syrup. This sweetener can increase the risks for high blood pressure as well as elevate triglyceride levels. Sweetened drinks, overall, can do damage to your cardiovascular system as well as your eyes.

For better eye health, avoid processed foods and drinks and switch to whole foods and fresh water instead. Making these changes to your diet will have a dramatic impact on your eye health. To give your eye health an extra boost, take your vitamins daily.