Why Your Eye Health Is So Important

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Have you ever been told that you’re near- or farsighted? If so, you’re probably already aware that our eyes, the organ in our bodies that helps us to see and process light, often need medical attention to stay healthy and functional. Keeping your eyes healthy doesn’t just protect your vision—it can also prevent serious health problems down the road. One major condition that affects many people’s vision is called glaucoma, but there are numerous others as well. Read on to learn about glaucoma, other eye diseases and tips to keep your eyes healthy.

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, which is the large nerve inside of the eye that allows you to process what you see. If you have glaucoma, the pressure inside the eye often becomes too high. This pressure damages the optic nerve over time and can lead to vision loss—or even blindness, if the pressure isn’t treated.Think of your eye like a kitchen sink. In a sink, water flows in through the faucet and drains out through the pipes. In your eye, a clear liquid flows in and drains out through special channels. If the drainage system gets blocked, the fluid builds up—just like a clogged sink. This causes pressure to rise, which harms the optic nerve. That’s what happens in glaucoma.There are different types of glaucoma, including normal tension glaucoma, where damage occurs even though the eye pressure isn’t very high, and traumatic glaucoma, which can happen after an injury to the eye.

Glaucoma is more common in African American and Hispanic people than in other racial and ethnic groups, and scientists believe that genetics play a large role in this increased likelihood. This means that the disease can run in families—so if someone in your family has glaucoma, you might have a higher chance of getting it, too. Knowing your family’s eye health history can help providers catch glaucoma early, before it causes major problems.Researchers are still learning about the exact genes that may cause glaucoma, but every year, they discover more about how glaucoma works and who is most at risk.

While glaucoma is one of the more serious eye diseases, there are other conditions that can also hurt your vision. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication that occurs when people with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood, which can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes and lead to vision problems.Another eye condition is hypertensive retinopathy, which occurs when someone has high blood pressure. Just like diabetes, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the eye and negatively affect your vision.Both conditions show how diseases that affect your whole body—like diabetes and high blood pressure—can also harm your eyes. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your overall health to protect your vision.

So, what can you do to keep your eyes healthy? One of the most important things is to get regular eye exams. Even if your vision seems fine, it’s smart to start having eye exams during your teenage years. Ophthalmology providers can spot signs of trouble early, even before you notice any changes in your vision.If you already have a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s especially important to get your eyes checked. Because these diseases can cause eye problems without many early symptoms, regular screenings can make a big difference.Family history is also an important indicator. If your parents, grandparents or siblings have had eye diseases like glaucoma, make sure that your provider knows. They might want to keep a closer watch on your eyes.

If you ever notice changes in your vision—like blurry spots, trouble seeing at night or pain in your eyes—don’t wait to get help. Even small symptoms might be signs of something more serious, and catching problems early can save your sight. Many people think that eye problems only happen when you're older, but that’s not true. Teens, young adults and middle-aged people can all have eye diseases, especially if they have other health issues or a family history of eye problems.Here are a few simple tips to keep your eyes healthy throughout your life:

• Get an eye exam every year, especially if you have a health condition or a family history of eye disease. 

• Tell your provider if you notice anything unusual happening with your vision. 

• Wear sunglasses in bright sunlight to protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. You should also wear safety goggles as needed to protect your eyes from traumatic injuries. 
• Keep your whole body healthy by managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that can affect your eyesight. 

There are several different ways to access eye care services, depending on the issue you’re having with your eyes: 

• If you have a medical condition or notice something wrong with your vision, you can go straight to an ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in eye care. 

• You can also make an appointment with an optometrist, a provider who checks your eye health and prescribes glasses or contact lenses, when needed, to help correct your vision. If your optometrist finds something serious, they might send you to an ophthalmologist for more tests or treatment. 

• Your primary care provider can also help you take care of your eyes. If you mention any eye problems at your check-up, they can refer you to an ophthalmologist to get the help you need. 

At ChristianaCare, our exceptional eye care team works together to provide expert, long-term eye care—from glaucoma, to dry eyes & blurred vision. Call 302-320-6485 to request an appointment.