44 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • NOVEMBER 21, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
Eyeing better vision
9 tips to maintain eye health
When considering making changes to
positively impact your well-being, many
aspects of health may jump to the forefront,
from taking care of mental and
emotional health to ensuring a well-maintained
body from head to toes. However,
one sometimes overlooked area is your
eyes and the importance of vision care.
Despite nearly 4.2 million Americans
over the age of 40 suff ering from impaired
vision, according to the American
Academy of Ophthalmology, it’s an aspect
of daily health that is sometimes neglected.
To better care for your eyes, consider
these tips that put the focus back on
eye health:
Schedule an exam
While focusing on enhancing care for
your eyes is a productive idea regardless,
it’s also important to have your vision and
eye health checked regularly by a professional.
Th is can help detect diseases
and conditions that cause vision loss and
blindness, many of which show little or no
symptoms in the early stages, and a doctor
can help create a care plan that preserves
your eye health.
Understand your family history
Genetics can play a major role in eye
health, so talk to family members about
their vision history. If anyone has been
diagnosed with a disease or condition that
impacts their eyesight, knowing can help
determine if you are at a higher risk for
developing a hereditary trait.
Use proper lighting
While there are many everyday ways to
maintain eye health and function, there
is one simple yet overlooked way to take
care of your sight: reducing eyestrain.
While three out of four Americans suffer
daily from eyestrain, according to
an online survey conducted by Russell
Research, some people may not realize the
lighting they use at work and home may
be contributing to the problem.
One way to achieve a reduction in eyestrain
is to use indoor lighting such as the
OttLite Wellness Series, a line of lamps
that closely matches the spectrum of natural
daylight to reduce eye fatigue and
eyestrain by 51 percent. Th e line includes
four models featuring stylish designs with
ClearSun LED technology, high-quality
diff users for clear illumination and
multiple brightness settings, all intended
to help reduce eyestrain by providing
“good” lighting, which means providing
enough natural daylight-quality illumination
to see clearly without being blinded
by excessively high light levels or glare.
Th e lamps also feature adjustable necks
and shades to help direct light to fully illuminate
an intended area and adjust for
glare from refl ective surfaces and smart
features like USB ports to conveniently
charge your devices. Find more information
at OttLite.com.
Clean contact lenses
If you wear contacts, make sure to take
proper precautions, which includes cleaning
and rinsing each time you wear and
remove the lenses. When cleaning, use
cleaners approved by an eye doctor, and
don’t wear lenses longer than recommended.
Maintain overall health
Living a healthy lifestyle overall can
have a positive impact on your eye health,
too. For example, maintaining a healthy
weight can help avoid risks like diabetes,
which can lead to vision loss from diabetic
eye disease or glaucoma. In addition,
eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
aids eye health, along with fi sh high
in omega-3 fatty acids.
Wear sunglasses
Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet
rays can increase the risk of age-related
macular degeneration and blurred vision.
It’s important to protect the eyes from
harmful UV rays when you’re outside by
wearing sunglasses that block out 99-100
percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Shield your eyes
While sunglasses help block out the
sun, protective eyewear like safety glasses
and goggles can help shield the eyes
while conducting physical activities like
yard work or playing sports. Be sure to use
safety glasses specifi cally intended for the
use you’ll wear them for, as some varieties
are designed for certain activities.
Limit evening screen time
Th e blue glare from traditional lighting
and electronics (TV, cell phones, computers,
tablets) used before bed may disrupt
sleep patterns and circadian rhythm, and
may even lead to sleep disorders, depression,
cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Take a break
Your eyes work hard when you put
extended focus on a computer screen or
other activity. Take periodic breaks to
avoid eye fatigue. Try the 20-20-20 rule:
every 20 minutes, shift your gaze to something
20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Optimal Eye Health
Your eyes are your window to the world,
so protecting your eye health is an essential
component of your overall wellbeing.
Symptoms like headaches and drowsiness
can be signs of eyestrain, a feeling
of discomfort caused by issues like poor
lighting.
Keep your eyes in optimal condition
and avoid problems like eyestrain by
ensuring you’re utilizing proper lighting
within your home and workspaces.
Natural daylight renders colors most
accurately, which off sets the potential
mood and energy level impact that occurs
when you’re not able to perceive colors
correctly.
However, when natural light isn’t practical
while working at a desk or reading
inside, rely on lamps that simulate natural
light and have a high Color Rendering
Index, such as those from the OttLite
Wellness Series, which use diff users to
evenly distribute illumination and protect
against glare with dimmable options
for users if a lower light level is necessary.
To fi nd more information, visit
OttLite.com.
Don’t Skip the Eye Doctor
If you’re having trouble with your
vision, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment
with an eye doctor. Th ese symptoms
specifi cally, according to the Centers for
Disease Control, are reasons to see a doctor
as soon as possible:
• Eye pain
• Decreased vision
• Double vision
• Draining
• Redness
• Flashes of light
• Floaters, or tiny specks that appear to
fl oat
• Halos appearing around lights
Courtesy Family Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
/OttLite.com
/OttLite.com
