Save Your Vision Month. It’s a month designed to promote awareness of the need to take care of our eyes, keeping them safe and healthy. It’s important—as we age, our risk of certain eye health conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, increases. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Farragut wants to share some tips on keeping your eyes healthy and strong.

What Can I Do to Improve My Eye Health?

Many of the same healthy lifestyle habits that promote good overall health—or good heart health—can also help protect your eyes. For starters, you want to make sure you are following a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, which are both important for your eyes. In addition, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can also improve your eye health as much as it can your overall health. And if you smoke, stop! Smoking is a known contributor to many eye health conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Foods That Are High in Vitamin A

• Cod liver oil
• Eggs
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Fortified skim milk
• Orange and yellow vegetables and fruits
• Beta-carotene sources like broccoli, spinach and most dark green, leafy vegetables

What Are the Main Causes of Eye Injuries?

Each year, more than 800,000 eye injuries occur in the United States, posing a large risk to eye health. Some of the most common eye injuries include eye swelling, blunt trauma, chemical burns, eye scratches and getting a foreign object in the eye. Take steps to protect your eyes from injury by always wearing recommended safety gear at work, during sports events and even at home.

Ways to Protect Eye Health

• Know your risk for eye diseases.
• Undergo regular physical exams to check for diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Look for warning signs of changes in your vision.
• Exercise frequently.
• Protect your eyes from harmful UV light.
• Get regular eye exam.

Did you recently experience an eye injury? Visit AFC Urgent Care Farragut today for medical care. No appointment is necessary!]]>