Healthy Vision Month 2025: Protect Your Sight, Protect Your Health

Healthy Vision Month 2025: Protect Your Sight, ProtectYour Health

You’ve heard it said that the eyes are the window to thesoul—but did you know they’re also a window to your health as well!

In May, we celebrate Healthy Vision Month to raiseawareness about the importance of eye care and the simple steps you can take tokeep your vision strong and your eyes healthy. Your eye health is closelylinked to your overall well-being, and taking care of your body can directlybenefit your sight.

Why Eye Health Matters

Many people don’t realize that comprehensive eye exams candetect more than just vision problems—they can also uncover signs of serioushealth conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (1).In fact, some diseases show early symptoms in the eyes before you notice anyother changes in your body (2).

Common health conditions that can impact vision include:

• Diabetes     – can lead to diabetic retinopathy
• Hypertension     – high blood pressure may cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes
• Autoimmune     diseases – such as lupus or MS, which can affect vision and eye     muscles

Early detection through routine eye exams can make asignificant difference in preserving your vision and preventing long-termcomplications (3).

Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Healthy Vision Month is a perfect time to evaluate yourdaily habits and make eye-friendly lifestyle choices. Here are some simple yetpowerful ways to protect your vision:

1. Schedule     a comprehensive eye exam – Even if your vision seems fine, regular     check-ups can catch issues early (2).
2. Eat     a nutrient-rich diet – Leafy greens, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids,     citrus fruits, and colourful vegetables support eye health (4).
3. Wear     sunglasses – Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, even on cloudy     days (5).
4. Practice     screen safety – Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at     something 20 feet away for 20 seconds (6).
5. Stay     physically active – Regular exercise can lower your risk of health     conditions that affect the eyes (7).
6. Don’t     smoke – Smoking increases your risk of age-related macular     degeneration and other vision problems (8).

Make Eye Health a Priority This May—and Beyond

Your vision is one of your most valuable assets. During HealthyVision Month 2025, we encourage everyone to take proactive steps to carefor their eyes. Whether it’s scheduling that long-overdue eye exam or swappingin more vegetables at dinner, small actions today can lead to clearer,healthier tomorrows.

Visit Innovative Eye Care to book your comprehensive eyeexam or explore our full range of eye care services. We’re here to help you seeclearly—now and in the future.

1.           Mukamal R. Raj K Maturi M, editor.American Academy of Ophthalmology2025. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/your-eyes-could-be-windows-to-your-health.

2.           Irving EL, Harris JD, Machan CM,Robinson BE, Hrynchak PK, Leat SJ, et al. Value of Routine Eye Examinations inAsymptomatic Patients. Optom Vis Sci. 2016;93(7):660-6.

3.           Van Der Ploeg-Dorhout MP, Van DenBoogaard C, Reinders-Messelink H, Van Der Cingel M. Patients' experiences ofshared decision-making in nursing care: A qualitative study. J Clin Nurs.2024;33(6):2274-86.

4.           Rasmussen HM, Johnson EJ. Nutrientsfor the aging eye. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:741-8.

5.           van Kuijk FJ. Effects of ultravioletlight on the eye: role of protective glasses. Environ Health Perspect.1991;96:177-84.

6.           Talens-Estarelles C, Cerviño A,García-Lázaro S, Fogelton A, Sheppard A, Wolffsohn JS. The effects of breaks ondigital eye strain, dry eye and binocular vision: Testing the 20-20-20 rule.Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023;46(2):101744.

7.           Dhuli K, Naureen Z, Medori MC,Fioretti F, Caruso P, Perrone MA, et al. Physical activity for health. J PrevMed Hyg. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E150-e9.

8.           Velilla S, García-Medina JJ, García-Layana A, Dolz-MarcoR, Pons-Vázquez S, Pinazo-Durán MD, et al. Smoking and age-related maculardegeneration: review and update. J Ophthalmol. 2013;2013:895147.

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