20/20

As you grab those sunglasses this summer, it’s a good time to think about things that can improve your vision throughout the year.

Here are five things you can do to impact the health of your eyes:

Get an eye exam
An annual trip to the eye doctor is critical to ensure healthy and sharp vision. But did you know your visit to the optometrist is important to your overall health, too? A routine eye exam can detect signs of diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, and more. Because many symptoms of health conditions often don’t appear until damage has occurred, eye exams are a powerful, preventative health tool to keep
tabs on what’s happening in your body.

Eat an eye-healthy diet
You probably know carrots are good for your eyes, but so are dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens.

Maintain a healthy weight
Weight is a contributing factor for your overall health, including your eyes. Obesity and diabetes can lead to vision problems, like cataracts. By eating healthy portions and exercising regularly, you can reduce your risk.

Protect eyes from blue light
Much of our days are spent with our faces glued to smartphones, computers and televisions. The digital screens emit high-energy blue light, which causes digital eye strain. That can lead to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck pain.

Ask your eye doctor about how to reduce eye strain
There are lenses with coatings that reflect and absorb blue light. Or you could just follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something at least 20 feet away.