In Hell’s Kitchen, New York, eye care centers are focusing more on macular degeneration. Have you ever noticed that the older we get, the less able we are to see? Our vision deteriorates as our eyes age. Sadly, there’s no natural way to stop this process from happening. What’s important is learning how to prevent the worsening. It’s vital to see a Hell’s Kitchen comprehensive ophthalmologist. But what if I told you there was a way to slow down your macular degeneration? Here are seven tips you can consider.
1. Quit the Smoking Habit
We all know smoking is bad for our health, but many still do it anyway. If you’re one of those smokers, you’re also putting your vision at risk. Smoking increases your chances of developing macular degeneration by two to three times. So if you want to keep your eyesight healthy, you need to quit the smoking habit.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is vital for maintaining our overall health, and it’s just as crucial for keeping our vision healthy. Ensure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables. These foods are packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your eyes from disease.
3. Stay Active
It’s essential to keep our bodies active, and the same goes for our eyes. Staying active helps keep the blood flowing to the retina, which is necessary for keeping our vision healthy. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
You can even engage in engaging recreational activities. This can help take your mind off your work and potentially increase your productivity. Some interesting recreational activities include reading, playing sports, listening to music, and going for walks.
4. Minimize Exposure to UV Rays
Too much exposure to UV rays can damage our eyes and increase our risk of developing macular degeneration. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that block UV rays whenever you’re outside.
5. Get Regular Eye Exams
The best way to protect our vision is to catch any problems early on. That’s why it’s essential to get regular eye exams. If there’s a problem with your vision, your eye doctor will be able to catch it and treat it before it has a chance to cause any damage.
6. Manage Your Hypertension
If you have hypertension, it’s essential to get it under control. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in our eyes and increase our risk of developing macular degeneration. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your hypertension.
If untreated, long-term hypertension can lead to blindness or vision impairment, stroke, and other age-related changes in the structure and function of blood vessels.
7. Manage Your Weight
Obesity is another leading cause of macular degeneration. Overweight individuals are more likely to develop the disease than those at a healthy weight. So if you want to protect your vision, make sure you’re managing your weight.
Dieting can help you reduce excess weight by limiting your caloric intake and helping you make healthy food choices. If you’re overweight, losing just a few pounds can help reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is a common eye condition that can cause vision loss. But there are many things we can do to protect our vision and minimize our risk of developing the disease. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to keeping your eyes healthy for years to come.
