Once vision loss occurs, it can’t be repaired. That’s why it’s so important to practice preventative care to maintain 20/20 vision. Doing so means taking extra precautions to reduce the strain on the eyes and prevent eye related diseases.

1. Watch your diet. Nutrition plays a key role in eye health. A high fat diet and sugar spikes can cause damage to the eye. Follow a heart-healthy diet that’s high in whole grains, lean meats and fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants found in many plant-based foods are able to fight off the free radicals that cause eye damage.
2. Quit smoking. Smoke causes macular degeneration. Quit smoking and limit your exposure to secondhand smoke to reduce the risk.
3. Use caution in regards to screen time. Spending too much time in front of the TV, computer, iPad, and smart phone puts undue strain on the eyes. Use electronic in brightly lit rooms and take frequent breaks from the screens.
4. Wear glasses when needed. Wearing glasses or contact lenses when they are necessary will also cut down on the unnecessary strain on the eyes.
5. Protect the eyes from the sun. Avoid directly looking at the sun and wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors, even while in the car and on mostly cloudy days. The suns rays can cause vision loss down the road.
6. Protect the eyes. Wear protective eye goggle when working with hazardous materials to minimize the risk of eye injuries.
7. Get eye exams regularly. It isn’t always possible to see changes in the eye just by looking in the mirror and symptoms of eye diseases often appear only after some damage has occurred. To maintain healthy vision, get regular eye exams to rule out any issues and receive care as soon as possible if something irregular shows up.

Vision problems can cause uncomfortable and irritating side effects. Sometimes they aren’t severe enough to warrant a surgery, such as headaches and eye strain. There is another option, however, to relieve the symptoms: eye exercises.

Eye exercises are good for those who have trouble focusing, need to regain muscle control after eye surgery, are cross-eyed, have a lazy eye, experience double vision, or have a drifting eye. Therapeutic exercises can restore muscle control in the eye, reduce blurred vision, control sensitivity to light, and reduce eye strain.

Some examples of simple eye exercises that can be done from home include:

• Tightly close both eyes. Open and repeat.
• Use hot and cold compresses against the eyes while performing a light massage over the eyelids.
• Place several fingers over the eyelids and apply light pressure.
• Change focus from an object that is nearby to one that is far away.
• Roll eyes in one direction, then back the other way.
• Move the eyes up and down, looking at the ceiling, then at the floor (without moving the head.)
• Place palms over both eyes and hold for a few seconds to give the eyes a rest.

These eye exercises can be repeated several times a day to strengthen and protect the muscles. They are not helpful in all eye problems, however. There may be additional exercises available to assist with a specific eye problem as well. Get approval from an eye doctor before practicing at home.

The retina plays a key role in overall vision. It sends images to the brain. But the retina and surrounding tissue areas sensitive and if the retina breaks away from these tissues it can cause vision loss.

There are three types of retinal detachment:

• Rhegmatogenous is a tear that allows fluid in and causes separation of the retina.
• Exudative is usually caused by an injury. It leads to fluids forming under the retina without actually detaching it.
• Tractional is when scar tissue causes the separation of the retina from the surrounding tissues.

It’s vital to catch the symptoms within three days so the retina can be repaired and vision saved. Waiting any longer to seek medical attention can result in permanent blindness.

Symptoms to watch out for include: light flashes, floaters, debris that is just out of the line of sight, a heavy feeling in the eye, when straight lines suddenly appear curved, and the sense that a dense shadow or curtain has fallen over the eye.

Risk factors for retinal detachment are:

• Trauma or injury
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• Extreme nearsightedness
• Aging (it is most common in those over 40)
• Complications from cataracts surgery

Coping with retinal detachment requires some attention to details. Make sure the living environment is free from debris and obstructions to prevent accidents, use bright lighting at home, get special glasses made specifically for this disease, make use of new technologies that use voice commands, and above all, ask for support.

Approved by the FDA in 1981, cataract surgery is still the most commonly performed surgery and is reportedly safe with little risk for long-term side effects.

Cataracts surgery is used to fix the eye’s natural lens when it loses it’s transparency and impairs vision. The first sign of cataracts is having a hard time seeing lights at night and seeing a strong glare. The purpose of the surgery is to break up the cloudy lens with an ultrasound probe, remove the pieces, and replace it with a synthetic (introcular) lens. Advanced lenses are also available to improve vision problems or provide monovision.

The procedure requires hospitalization as an outpatient and a local anesthetic, but it deemed safe with minimal risks. One the original lens is removed, the new lens is implanted through a small incision. The entire process is completed in under 15 minutes.

Modern technology makes the surgery easier than ever and reduces the need for patients to wear glasses or contacts post-surgery. Though they are not common, there is a remote chance of experiencing the following side effects after having cataract surgery:

• Glaucoma
• Swelling
• Cloudy vision
• Retinal detachment
• Posterior tear
• Inflammation
• Infection

According to WebMD, 98% of cataract surgeries are considered successful without any long-term side effects or complications. Mild discomfort can be expected immediately after the surgery, as well as increased light sensitivity. Dark glasses can help reduce the discomfort. Eye drops are also prescribed to prevent infections.