Protecting your vision for years to come

More than 20 million Americans suffer from severe vision loss, even though many serious conditions are preventable, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For example, the AAO maintains that 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable. Approximately 4.2 million Americans aged 40 and older suffer from uncorrectable vision impairment. This number is predicted to more than double by 2050 due to the rapidly aging population and the increasing epidemic of diabetes and other chronic conditions. Here are five steps that you can take now to help protect your vision in the years to come.

Wear sunglasses. Invest in sunglasses that block 100% of the UV-A rays and UV-B rays and wear them year around. UV blocking sunglasses delay the development of cataracts and prevent retinal damage. Sunglasses also protect the delicate skin on your eyelids and reduce the chance of wrinkles, skin cancer and cancerous and non-cancerous growths on the eye. Remember that the sun still shines in winter and the rays can intensify when bouncing off snow, so slip on those shades.

Eat your carrots and other veggies. Since vitamin deficiency can affect retinal function, it is important to eat vegetables, especially leafy greens. People who eat high levels of vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeazanthin and omega-3 fatty acids found in leafy greens, corn, broccoli and other vegetables are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration.

Make eye exams a priority. Adults without any risk factors or signs of eye disease should get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40 so that the eye doctor can track changes and detect early stages of eye disease. Share your family’s history of eye disease with your doctor since your risk may be higher and the doctor may want to get a screening at a younger age. Most serious eye conditions like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are easily treated if detected early. If these diseases are not treated, they can lead to serious vision loss or blindness.

Protect your eyes. Many daily activities like home repairs, gardening or cleaning can put your eyes at risk. Many sports activities like hockey and baseball can also be dangerous for your eyes. So, take the time to put on protective eyewear when you are using the power saw or heading up to bat to prevent becoming one of the 2.5 million people who suffer eye injuries in the United States each year.

Give your eyes a break. Sitting in front of your computer screen or other close work for hours at a time can strain your eyes. The suggested remedy is called the 20-20-20 rule which refers to looking away from your work every 20 minutes. Look at an something that is 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. This provides a needed moment of rest for your eyes. If you are experiencing eye fatigue that is severe, there may be other problems. Your eye glasses may not be properly centered or you may be suffering from another condition like dry eye. See an ophthalmologist for help in dealing with these issues.

Seeing the big picture 
When recovering from a medical event or surgery, it is important to care for all a person’s needs from chronic medical conditions like diabetes to functional issues like vision loss. One way to get this level  of comprehensive care is to recover in a short-term care facility where there is an attentive team of professionals who can effectively address needs as they arise.

Finding the best care
One of the preferred choices for recovery is Glenview Terrace where individualized care is offered in a comfortable environment. The Rehabilitation Pavilion at Glenview Terrace, with its own private entrance and therapy gym, delivers outstanding services and clinical outcomes, making it one of the top choices on the North Shore and the recipient of Medicare’s highest five-star quality rating.

While recovering at Glenview Terrace, each guest receives personalized care to fit their needs from a caring staff. One-on-one physical, occupational and speech therapies are provided seven days a week in Glenview Terrace’s specialized rehabilitation gyms. Compassionate staff also provide the encouragement and positive reinforcement needed to move you toward your goals.

Using expert care and sophisticated techniques, Glenview Terrace offers an aggressive blend of traditional and advanced rehabilitation services to address a full range of conditions. It has the tools and equipment on site to meet specific needs including video fluoroscopy, Doppler studies and X-rays. The professional staff can deliver expert pain management, respiratory and intravenous therapies while carefully managing existing conditions. Instead of hoping that you are doing everything correctly, you can rest easy knowing that your care is top-notch.

Glenview Terrace delivers this care in a welcoming setting that begins with beautifully landscaped grounds and continues into the spacious, well-appointed rooms. Guests can enjoy nutritious meals served in elegant dining areas or in their rooms. Guests can also choose to relax in their rooms with a wide array of amenities and services to pamper them, including attentive concierge service.

When you want to have the best recovery possible, choose to recover at Glenview Terrace where the needs of the entire patient are addressed. For additional information or to arrange a tour, visit glenviewterrace.com or call 847-729-9090.