Did You Know It’s Healthy Vision Month?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on May 15, 2020

Happy couple smiling after visiting their ophthalmologist

Are you trying to learn more about how you can keep your eyes healthy? Did you know there is a whole month dedicated to healthy vision? 

May is Healthy Vision Month. Why do we need a whole month dedicated to healthy vision? It’s important to educate people and help them realize their vision is priceless. 

Keep reading to learn more about Healthy Vision Month and how to keep your eyes healthy

How do you keep your eyes healthy?

The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to get regular eye exams. Having a comprehensive eye exam includes getting your eyes dilated to check your vision. 

Your eye doctor will also check your eye pressure, refraction, the interior of your eyes, the retina, and depending on your age, they will look for glaucoma.

Eye exams are the perfect time to talk to your ophthalmologist about if you need glasses or want to try out contacts. Make sure to stick to the schedule for eye exams that your eye doctor recommends.

Are eye exams important at a specific age?

Eye exams are important at all ages. While it is more common to hear about older adults having vision issues, younger children can have them too. 

Most preschools do not offer vision screenings or eye exams. For this reason, make sure your child has an eye exam. Preschoolers can have a lazy eye or sight problems. 

For adults, conditions your eye doctor looks for are:

  • Cataracts: Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy.
  • Glaucoma: Glaucoma happens when increased eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerve. 
  • Age-related Macular Degeneration: This condition happens when your central vision is slowly affected.

When should you see your eye doctor?

Besides getting your regular eye exam, it is important to pay attention to your vision. If you start to notice any changes, it is important to see your eye doctor. 
Early detection is key to preventing many eye conditions from progressing or causing blindness.  

It’s not normal if you experience the following: 

  • Vision problems
  • Eye pain
  • Red eyes
  • Double vision

If you do start experiencing any of these, you should see your eye doctor and rule out any problems with your vision. You may also want to see them if you see floaters in your vision, notice halos around lights, or see bright flashes of light.

What foods should I eat for healthier eyes?

Eating healthy is one of the keys to staying healthy. It allows you to maintain a stable weight, prevent diabetes, and keep your eyes healthy. 

Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals is important. For the healthiest eyes, eat lots of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. 

This includes foods like halibut, oysters, salmon, eggs, milk, flaxseed, walnuts, kale, spinach, and canola oil. There are many more but this is a good starting point! 

How can I protect my eyes?

When you are outside, make sure to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun. 

Also, if you play sports, make sure to wear proper eye protection, so your eyes stay safe. Prescription eyeglasses are not enough to protect your eyes. Make sure you wear goggles or other eye protection when playing sports for the most protection.

Do you think it is time for an eye exam? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR to see one of our eye doctors!


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Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more