February is often thought of as the month of "love." What about your eyes? Do you love your vision? Do you protect your eyes from injury?
Why not sent your eyes a valentine of good health and safety, says the American Optometric Association (AOA).
An estimated 4 million people in the United States are visually impaired, most from eye disease.
More than 200,000 eye injuries occur each year, many of which result in partial or total loss of sight.
The AOA offers suggestions for safeguarding your vision at all times, regardless of your age.
- Get regular eye exams. This is especially important to detect eye disease such as glaucoma and cataracts.
- Wear protective eyewear while using any kind of power tools or caustic chemical in the home or garden, and while playing sports.
- Don't forget your sunglasses when heading outdoors. Long-term exposure to the sun's UV radiation may cause eye disease.
- Eat your spinach. Spinach, kale and other dark green leafy vegetables help protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration.