Family Physician: A Friend to Depend On

Posted on: 13 January 2015

If cataracts or glaucoma run in your family, you may be worried about taking precautions to make sure you save your sight. Here are five ways you can reduce your risk of these diseases, so you can see clearly for years to come.

Get Shaded

The first thing you need to always do to prevent cataracts in particular is to remember to wear your sunglasses or to stay in the shade. Sunlight, including UV light, is a cause of cataracts. If you have the choice of getting UV blockers for your normal glasses, then opt for that; otherwise, wearing sunglasses with UV protection will do the trick.

Drink More Water

Drinking water is important for your body; it helps your body remove waste and work more efficiently. Dehydration has been linked to glaucoma and cataract development, so make sure you're drinking enough water each day to combat this risk. Six to eight glasses of water are enough for most people.

Reduce Your Sugar Levels

Whether or not you have diabetes, it's important to reduce the amount of sugar you ingest. Sugar can contribute to the formation of cataracts, although this is particularly true in those with diabetes. If your blood sugar is too high over too long a period, it can cause various body parts to malfunction or become diseased.

Higher insulin levels have also been linked to higher blood and eye pressure. Over time, high eye pressure can damage your eyes, so make sure you're doing all you can to eat a health, low-sugar diet.

Take Your Vitamins

Taking omega-3 fatty acids as supplements can help you keep your eyes in good shape. Docosahexaenoic acid, better known as DHA, is particularly important, as it's known to promote healthy retinal functions. That means that it supports your eye's health, and better yet, it's also able to prevent macular degeneration, another kind of disease that can affect the eyes.

Antioxidants are also important. You can find these helpful vitamins in greens, leafy vegetables, egg yolks, and other vegetables.

Stop Smoking

By now, everyone knows that smoking has ill effects on your health. Smoking and secondhand smoke are both known as factors that can affect your blood pressure and ocular pressure, causing damage to your eyes over time. 

These are just some of the tips you can follow to keep your eyes in good health. Remember to see your eye doctor at a place like Blue Ridge Ophthalmology or surgeon if you have any questions about your sight.