Keep an Eye on Your Eyes! May Is Healthy Vision Month

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If you have a vision problem… would you know it? That's one of the questions the National Eye Institute is putting before the public this May for Healthy Vision Month. According to the National Eye Institute, More than 23 million Americans age 18 and older have never had an eye exam. Why? They don't think they have an eye problem. It makes sense. If you feel like you see well – or good enough – why get your eyes checked? If nothing noticeable has changed, why schedule an extra appointment? Unfortunately, many eye diseases do not reveal symptoms in the early stages. So, while everything may look normal, an eye condition could be developing without your knowledge. The National Eye Institute predicts that by 2030…

• 11.4 million people will have diabetic retinopathy
• 4.2 million will have glaucoma
• 3.7 million will have age-related macular degeneration

What Can You Do For Your Eye Health?

The National Eye Institute advises…

1. Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
2. Use protective eyewear during sports and other recreational activities.
3. Know your family's eye health history.
4. Wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of UVA/UVB rays.
5. Live a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy foods, not smoking, and managing chronic health conditions.

Eating Right for Better Vision & Eye Health

If you want to start eating right for better vision and eye health, the research shows that you should focus on getting these nutrients:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Lutein
• Zinc
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Fortunately, these nutrients can be found in many common foods, like leafy greens, salmon and tuna, oysters, pork, oranges and other citruses, and proteins (such as nuts, beans, and eggs). While you might be familiar with most of that list, many people have never heard of lutein, a type of carotenoid with critical antioxidant functions. Lutein is known to protect against some harmful high-energy wavelengths of light. You can easily get lutein in leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. If you struggle to get lutein through your diet, you can always take a lutein supplement for better eye health!

Herbal Eyebright and Eyeguard™ for Better Vision & Eye Health

You can supplement your eye-healthy diet with Herbal Eyebright, which contains a variety of herbs and natural products to support vision and eye health. Eyebright is commonly used for treating pink eye (conjunctivitis), inflamed sinuses and nasal passageways, coughs, allergies, colds, earaches, and other conditions. Eyeguard™ is another supplement many people use for better eye health. It contains a variety of minerals and other elements believed to promote good vision and eye health, including: vitamins A, C, E, and B-6; riboflavin; zinc; selenium; copper; chromium; and bilberry extract. Bilberry extract is commonly used for treating cataracts and retinal disorders. What are you doing for better eye health? Tell us on Twitter!