Intertribal Life Newspaper -

You can prevent sight loss. And it's not that hard.

Health experts promote diet and exercise programs to ward off systemic diseases such as heart issues, stroke and diabetes. As much as we care for our overall health, it's important to not neglect care for our eyes as well. Diminishing eyesight from issues such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration can limit our mobility, challenge our daily living tasks and isolate us from social connections.

Health professionals cannot guarantee that you can prevent loss of sight from aging issues. One doctor told me everyone will get cataracts if they live long enough. But there are certain easy, common-sense practices you can do every day that will put years on your usable vision.

My daughter, Dr. Katherine Wingate who is an optometrist with the U.S. Army, gives her patients these easy-care tips for eye health:

Wear sunglasses. According to http://www.Allaboutvision.com, extended exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration and photokerititis, which is basically a sunburn of the cornea. The wrap-around kind is best, says the website, and it's especially important to wear sunglasses at high altitudes. Don't forget to have your children wear sunglasses as well.

Prevent dry eyes: If you experience itching, intermittent blurring that goes away when you blink, a feeling as if sand is in your eye or sensitivity to light, you may have dry eyes-especially if you spend hours at the computer or hunched over your smartphone.

The University of Iowa Eye Clinic (https://uihc.org/health-library/computer-vision-syndrome) says we tend to blink 66 percent less when we work at a computer. Take frequent breaks, force yourself to blink slowly several times to rewet the eyes, and look away at a long distance object. Ophthalmologist Jill Brody also recommends applying a lubricating artificial teardrop several times a day to relubricate eyes.

Don't smoke: According to Dennis Thompson at http://www.everydayhealth.com, smoking is directly linked to cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies have shown links between smoking and a number of other eye issues such as dry eyes, conjunctivitis, and diabetic retinopathy.

Eat healthy: We've always been taught that carrots are good for your eyes. While they do have plenty of vitamin A, your eyes also need a variety of other nutrients and antioxidants. Research shows that a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, brightly colored fruits like berries, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, may reduce your risk of macular degeneration, a disease that causes us to gradually lose our eyesight, often completely.

Watch the general health hotspots: A good diet helps overall health, and while a growing number of studies show a direct link between eating healthy food and preventing eye disease, avoiding high blood pressure and diabetes will also have a substantial impact on your eye health. Diabetes first attacks the small blood vessels in the body, which include those vessels found in the feet, kidneys and eyes. The eye disease directly linked to diabetes is termed diabetic retinopathy, another permanent and debilitating cause of sight loss.

Clean your contacts: "People who wear contacts are at higher risk for infection because wearing contact lenses limits the amount of oxygen that gets to the cornea which increases the risk for build-up of bacteria," says Dr. Wingate. Infections can lead to ulcers on the cornea, which are not only painful but can also cause long-term damage. According to WebMD, contact lens wearers are at risk for conjunctivitis, or pink eye and keratitis, an infection of the cornea.

The solution is simple:

Clean and care for your contacts correctly and replace your contacts on schedule.

Use fresh solution every day.

Wash your hands before handling your contacts.

Keep your lens case clean.

Take out your lenses before you sleep.

If you sense any trouble, stop wearing your contacts immediately. "If you're having problems with red eyes, stop wearing your contacts and go see an eye care specialist," Dr. Wingate emphasizes. "Don't put it off."

As a visually impaired person who has had difficulty seeing all my life, I've lived with the limitations of sight loss, so I know how precious eyesight can be. Your eyes are the only pair you have. Keep them as healthy as you can as long as you can.

Karen Wingate is a speaker, blogger, and freelance writer living in Western Illinois. Her blogs appear at http://www.graceonparade.com.