BENEFITS OF HAVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

How to Get Healthy EyesKing LASIK would like to remind you that what’s good for your body in general is also good for your eyes in particular. Not only does following a healthy lifestyle help keep your waistline in check, certain diseases at bay and premature signs of aging away, but it also helps protect your vision. Here’s how.

Diet

Eating nutritious, well-balanced meals will do more than keep you looking fit. It will help protect your vision health. For instance, eating foods that are high in beta-carotene can help prevent cataracts (a progressive clouding of the eye’s lens, causing blurry vision) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that affects the macula located in the center of the retina and can eventually cause vision loss. Beta-carotene can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes and natural orange foods in general.

More examples of healthy foods that are good for the eyes are dark green veggies and eggs, which contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic eye conditions, including, again, cataracts and AMD.

On the other hand, eating foods that are high in “bad” fats, including saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol (e.g., fried foods, butter, high-fat dairy products) can negatively affect the blood vessels in the eyes as they would the blood vessels in the heart.

Overall, it’s best for your body and your eyes to eat whole, natural foods, including whole grains, lean proteins, fatty acids, fruits and veggies, and to stay away from junk foods.

Fitness

You might be surprised to hear that exercising is good for your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a recent study has demonstrated that working out might help decrease the risk of AMD and cataracts. In addition, staying fit keeps your cardiovascular system healthy, which means healthier blood vessels in the eye.

Avoiding Smoking

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, smoking increases a person’s risk for a variety of eye diseases, including cataracts, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye and more. Not to mention, the damage that smoking does to the eyes resembles the symptoms associated with early-stage glaucoma. Saving your eyesight is yet another reason to quit or avoid smoking.

Your Eye Health

Just as you would schedule routine physical exams for your body, you should also schedule routine exams specifically for your eyes. If you are past due for your yearly eye exam or are experiencing vision problems, contact King LASIK for help.

To schedule a complimentary assessment of your eye health, please contact King LASIK by calling (877) 551-2020.