Understanding the Importance of Retina Health-A Comprehensive Guide
The thought of not being able to see is what prompts many people to schedule and keep their annual eye exam. The retina is located all the way at the back of the eye but without it you wouldn’t be able to see at all. Understanding the importance of retinal health with a comprehensive guide will provide lifestyle habits and proactive measures you can take to sustain optimal vision.
Did you know that the diet industry holds a net worth of nearly $75 billion dollars? New year’s resolutions, employer incentives, influencer promises and self-care promotions all lead consumers to improve their health with tried-and-true diets and exercises. But getting healthy is about much more than a slimmer physique. Significant improvements include weight loss, lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, eliminating smoking and alcohol consumption, muscle growth, boosting immunity, functional refinement for the nerves, blood flow and organs. Organs include your eyes. As it happens, retinal health is automatically enhanced by eating a diet filled with vitamin and nutrient-rich foods. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in dark, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and broccoli. These antioxidants act as a filter to protect the retina from the damaging effects of blue light caused by digital screens and UVB rays. Current smokers are 4 times as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who have never smoked. They are also likely to develop AMD 10 years sooner than those who never smoked. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that causes damage to the retinal cells. Damage to the retina is caused by oxidative damage as well as restrictive blood flow, both of which are increased with smoking. Improving diet and ditching cigarettes will reduce retinal disease development and progression.
Knowing your family history, protection from ultraviolet rays and regular eye exams are additional keys to understanding the importance of retinal health. Strong genetic components are associated with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and age-related macular degeneration. Genetic testing can provide early intervention with the appropriate diagnosis. Wearing 100% UV blocking sunglasses when outdoors prevents damaging light from reaching the retina. Ultraviolet light can initiate the formation of free radicals that cause inflammation to the retina that may lead to injury. Common tests for retina conditions will uncover abnormalities before symptoms begin. These include a dilated eye exam, Amsler grid test, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography and ultrasound.
Take responsibility for your vision by understanding the importance of retinal health. No matter what your current state of health is or your predisposed family history, you can adopt new habits suggested by Associated Retina Consultants to restore and improve ocular well-being. Contact our office today by calling 602-242-4928 or clicking here WEBSITE.