Our eyes are much like the rest of our bodies—we seldom think about them until something is wrong. But it’s important to protect your eyes to ensure good eye health and strong vision.

That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Warrington is taking advantage of Eye Care Month this January to share some insight about your eyes and how to keep them healthy. Read on as we take a look:

What Does It Mean to Have ²⁰⁄₂₀ Vision?

When people discuss vision, they often reference ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision. When you have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision, you are considered to have perfect vision. However, when the bottom number starts to change, it means your vision is worsening.

For instance, if you have ²⁰⁄₃₀ vision, you are able to read letters from 20 feet away that people who have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision can see from 30 feet away.

Eye Health Basics

• Know your eye health history.
• Make sure to have regular physical exams.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing UVA/UVB sunglasses.
• Consume a healthy diet.
• Get an annual comprehensive eye exam.
• Quit smoking.

Why Is Eye Care Important?

Regular eye exams are important for a few different reasons. The first is that they allow an eye doctor the opportunity to check your vision and prescribe vision correction, if needed.

But eye exams also give the opportunity to gauge the current status of your eye health and your overall health. That’s because many medical conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, first show up through eye-related symptoms.

Foods That Will Optimize Eye Health

• Fish
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Seeds
• Citrus fruits
• Leafy, green vegetables
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Beef

Dealing with a painful eye? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Warrington today to have things checked out!