Although genetics and other factors (including your age) affect your eye health, having healthy eyes also depends on how you care for them. It is up to you to take an active role in keeping your eyes healthy.

Eye Exams: Catching Problems Early

Some eye diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, are contributed, for the most part, to aging. Even if you cannot avoid these eye diseases, you can help your eyes healthy by detecting potential problems in their early stages. Routine comprehensive eye examinations by your eye doctor will not only detect current vision problems but may also discover eye problems and diseases even before they develop. As a result, it is important to have your eye doctor perform a comprehensive eye exam on a regular basis. Below is a recommendation, by age, of how often you should have an eye exam.

• Less than 3 years old: Eye exams should be part of pediatric exams.
• 3 to 19 years old: Children should have eye exams every one to two years during regular doctor visits. (Vision screenings by an eye doctor may be needed if child complains of vision loss or blurry vision.)
• 20 to 29 years old: If no obvious eye problems are noticed, have at least one comprehensive eye exam during this timeframe.
• 30 to 64 years old: Schedule a comprehensive exam with an eye doctor every two to four years.
• 65 years old and older: Because of the possible onset of any age-related eye diseases, have a complete eye exam every one to two years to maintain healthy eyes.

The above recommendations are general guidelines. If you have certain risk factors or are experiencing vision problems, have a complete eye exam more often than the schedule recommends. Risk factors that may hinder you from keeping your eyes healthy include:

• diabetes
• eye injury (recent accident or history of eye injury)
• genetic predisposition or family history of eye disease.

Because ethnicity and age can also increase the chances that you will contract an eye disease, increase the regularity of your eye exams if you are an African American who is 40 years old or older.

Keeping Eyes Healthy: Diet & Supplements

Studies on age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma have found that a healthy diet combined with the intake of certain dietary supplements may reduce your chance of being affected by debilitating eye diseases. To help maintain healthy eyes, consume the following (either through foods or supplements):

• beta-carotene
• bioflavonoids (natural pigments in fruits and vegetables)
• garlic
• lutein (antioxidant found in green leafy vegetables)
• vitamin A
• vitamin C
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• zinc.

Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet not only helps you keep your eyes healthy, but it also lessens your chances of developing diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. In fact, both obesity and diabetes have been linked to some serious eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy.

Keeping Eyes Healthy with Sunglasses

While you may already know about the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays on your skin, studies have shown that the sun's rays can also affect your eye health. Prolonged exposure to both types of UV rays (UVA and UVB) has been linked to:

• cataracts
• damage to the retina
• macular degeneration
• photokeratitis (corneal sunburn, which can cause temporary vision loss)
• pterygium (growth on the eye)
• skin cancer of the eyelids.

The proper pair of sunglasses, coupled with a wide brimmed hat, are important to keeping your eyes healthy. When you are going to be outside, experts recommend that you wear sunglasses that:

• are comfortable
• filter out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays
• fit your facial structure so they properly protect your eyes
• reduce glare.

Keep in mind that children, as well as adults, should wear sunglasses to maintain healthy eyes. Exposure to UV rays over a lifetime contributes to eye problems.

Healthy Eyes: Another Reason to Stop Smoking

With the numerous studies conducted on the effects of smoking, it is not surprising to learn that it has been linked to eye diseases. Quitting smoking can help you keep your eyes healthy by reducing your chances of developing:

• age-related macular degeneration
• cataracts
• diabetic retinopathy (if you are diabetic)
• glaucoma.

Take an Active Role in Your Eye Health

Surveys have revealed that vision is the one sense that people are the most afraid to lose. If you are concerned about your eye health and hope to have healthy eyes for years to come, follow the guidelines listed above. Remember, these recommendations are only a starting point to improving your eye health. For an individualized plan for healthy eyes, consult your optometrist.