Your eyes are one of the most delicate and sensitive organs in your body, which is why they require a lot of care to prevent any problems or abnormalities, many of which can arise from a variety of factors, such as age or lifestyle habits.
This means that preventive measures should start from a very young age to maintain healthy eyes and lower your risk of vision loss. Scheduling regular checkups with your optometrist and practicing good eye care habits at home can go a long way to prevent conditions such as:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Retinal Detachments
Our SE Calgary Optometrists Help Protect Your Vision and Eye Health
At our Calgary eye clinic, our team of highly qualified optometrists provide a wide range of vision services for the whole family, including children’s eye exams, contact lens fittings, glaucoma testing, and emergency eye care, to ensure your vision is protected and stays clear for many years to come.
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CONTACT OUR SE CALGARY OPTOMETRISTS
4 Simple Tips For Lowering Your Risk of Vision Loss
Did you know that there are more than 5 million Canadians suffering from a major eye disease that results in vision loss? While not all eye diseases can be prevented, there are some simple measures you can take to ensure your eyes remain healthy and lower your risk of vision loss in the future.
1. Make Regular Appointments With Your Calgary Optometrist
Everyone needs regular eye checkups, even young children. Seeing a professional optometrist once a year will protect your vision and make sure you can always see clearly and comfortably.
This appointment is also important for detecting serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, which have no early warning symptoms and can only be detected through an eye test.
An eye exam can include:
- Discussing your family’s medical history and history of eye diseases
- Vision tests to see if you’re farsighted, near sighted, or have astigmatism
- Optic nerve and eye pressure tests to check for glaucoma
- Checks on how well your eyes work together
HOW REGULAR EYE EXAMS CAN PROTECT YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
2. Always Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. They work to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can increase your chances of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.
3 Tips For Picking Sunglasses
- Choose a pair that blocks 100% UVA and UVB rays
- Opt for polarized lenses, which can reduce glare while you drive
- Wraparound lenses protect your eyes from the side
Even when it’s overcast, harmful UV rays are still present, so it’s important to wear your sunglasses every time you are outside.
3. Stop Smoking
Smoking is dangerous. Every organ in the body can be damaged by smoking, and this includes your eyes. Smokers are at a higher risk for certain eye diseases, including:
The good news? Smoking is the most preventable cause of vision loss. This means that even someone who has a long history of smoking can reduce the risk of eye health complications by quitting the habit.
4. Take Breaks From the Computer Screen
Today, our lives revolve around technology and many Canadians spend a lot of their day staring at computer or phone screens. This can often cause vision discomfort such as blurry vision, eye strain, dry eyes, and even headaches.
To minimize the effects of the screen on your eyes, make sure to:
- Talk to your optometrist about blue light lenses which can reduce the amount of glare and blue light entering your eyes from the computer.
- Blink more to avoid dry eyes.
- Check if your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription is up to date
- Rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking up into the distance for at least 20 seconds.
Call Today
To find out more about our comprehensive services and how our qualified optometrists can help protect your vision and eye health, visit our Calgary eye clinic at 2525 36 St NE, Unit 157. Alternatively, you can contact our optometrists at 403-280-7518 or book an appointment online.