Kick Off 2026 With A Focus On Your Eye Health
Posted by: Midwest Eye Center in Eye Health
As we say farewell to 2025, let’s start 2026 with positive energy for a year dedicated to eye health. The New Year is a perfect time to start fresh and renew our commitment to health, happiness, and success. It’s important to include eye health and safety in these resolutions. Listed below are a few ways to prioritize your eye health for 2026. Begin the year proactively by scheduling comprehensive eye exams for every family member. This simple step can help ensure that everyone’s vision is optimal and any potential eye health issues are caught early.
Schedule an eye exam for each family member.
A thorough eye exam ensures your vision is optimal and screens for eye diseases and other health issues. Detecting problems early is crucial for effective treatment and preserving your eyesight.
Protect your eyes from the sun year-round.
Harmful ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) radiation from the sun, as well as from computer screens and digital devices, are associated with severe eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and both benign and malignant growths in the eye and eyelids. To safeguard your eyes outdoors, wear sunglasses that offer complete protection against these harmful rays. Additionally, indoor transparent lens coatings are now available to shield from HEV light.
Know your eye health risk factors.
Understanding who is at risk and recognizing early signs are essential for preventing common eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. Being aware of your family history, race, gender, and lifestyle, and how these factors affect eye health, can help your eye doctor detect early signs of eye disease before they worsen.
Use proper eye protection.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that emergency rooms handle over 700,000 work-related eye injuries annually, with 125,000 occurring at home and 40,000 in sports. Many of these injuries are preventable through proper eye protection. For occupational safety, safety glasses with side shields are recommended; for household tasks like cleaning or cooking, regular glasses or safety goggles are adequate; and for sports, sports goggles or helmets with a face mask are ideal. It’s advisable to consult your eye doctor to select the best protective eyewear suited to your work, hobbies, and sports activities. Furthermore, enhancing your eye health can be achieved by consuming foods high in vitamins and antioxidants, which may lower the risk of eye issues.
Eat foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants to support your eye health.
Research shows that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Include foods rich in beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, such as spinach, kale, red/orange peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Add bioflavonoid-rich foods like tea, red wine, citrus fruits, blueberries, cherries, legumes, and soy products. Incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, ground flaxseeds, and walnuts. Additionally, eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods high in vitamins A, C, and D. Zinc, vital for eye health, is found in oysters, beef, and dark meat turkey.
Make 2026 your best year yet! Stay committed to your goals and remember we’re here to assist with your eye care. Whether you’re scheduling an eye exam, exploring your risk factors, or selecting the proper protective eyewear, we’re dedicated to supporting you. The best is still ahead, and we’re here to help turn that potential into reality!
Wishing You A Year Full Of Clear Sights and Bright Days!
References: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Optometric Association. This blog provides information and discussion about eye health and related subjects. The content provided within this newsletter and any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered medical advice. If the reader or any person has a medical concern, they should consult with an appropriately licensed physician.
