Guide to Eye Health

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Choices we make today can influence the health of our vision years from now.  Research tells us that diet, smoking, obesity, exercise, sunlight exposure, alcohol intake, our interactions with television and computer screens—any of these, as well as other factors—can influence our risk for developing eye disorders and can affect the severity or rate of progression of an eye condition.

In fact, a recent study (abstract) indicates that making eye-healthy choices sooner rather than later may improve our odds of holding off at least one eye disease:age-related macular degeneration.  Smoking and having low levels of "good" cholestrerol (HDL) were associated with increased early stages of the disease in middle age, while having higher levels of HDL reduced risk.

Another report supports leading an overall healthy lifestyle to maintain sight.  Researchers have found that a combination of healthy diet, physical activity and not smoking is associated with 71 percent lower odds of developing age-related macular degeneration. Their findings suggest that following a combination of healthy practices may be more important in reducing AMD risk than emphasizing a single healthy activity. They also comment that risk for AMD is passed to subsequent generations not only through genes but also possibly through the lifestyle habits we model and encourage.

Research findings can also inform other sight-related choices we may have to make, such as when to stop driving or what kind of contact lenses to wear.  Since so much of our perception is based on sight (up to 70 percent of sensory input), these choices can affect our quality of life.

Nutrition Evidence is emerging that food and nutritional supplements can influence a person's risk for developing eye disorders.  For example, according to a recent, large population study, women who eat foods rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals appear to have a lower risk of developing cataracts (article, abstract).   More...

Blood Sugar and Glycemic Index One key to long-term health is eating a low glycemic index (GI) diet. The GI ranks carbohydrate-containing foods according to how quickly they raise blood glucose levels: the higher the GI ranking, the greater the impact.   More...

Smoking and Drinking Smoking Past Age 80 Worsens AMD Risk, Also Linked to Uveitis   More...

Elective Surgery and Contact Lenses Investigators have shown that development of dry eye following LASIK surgery in patients with no history of the condition is correlated to the  depth of the laser treatment (incision).  Symtpoms can include blurred vision, stinging, pain, photophobia or visual fatigue.   More...

Driving, Stress and Depression Making the decision to stop driving due to vision loss can lead to the end of independent living, depression and isolation, and entry into a long-term care institution.    More...

Light Exposure Exposing your eyes to intense sunlight may contribute to AMD. It also increases risk of cataract and corneal disease, and can cause tissue growth on the surface of the eye known as pterygium (which may contain cancer precursor cells).   More...

Exercise and Obesity Obesity has been connected to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease—both of which are risk factors for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and AMD.  Overweight individuals also tend to have a higher risk of cataract.   More...

TVs, Computers and Reading Infrequent Blinking Increases Dry Eye Symptoms   More...