Genetics play a large role in a person’s vision, but there are outside factors that can also affect your eyes. Outside of surgeries and eye drops, simple changes to your daily lifestyle can help lower your risk of conditions that affect your eyesight.

Quit Smoking

The fact that cigarettes are bad for your health isn’t breaking news to anyone, yet millions of people continue to do so. It’s known that smoking can cause cancer and a multitude of other diseases and conditions — but did you know it can also increase the risk of developing ARMD by up to four times? ARMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) is the leading cause of blindness and one in five cases involves someone who has smoked during a period in their life.

Slim Down Your Waist

Those who are overweight and obese have a greater chance of developing these vision conditions:

• Cataracts – Being overweight or obese will increase your chances of developing cataracts. However, once you’ve reached this level, slimming back down won’t cure or prevent cataracts from developing.
• Glaucoma – The high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol commonly found in those who are overweight and obese can cause a buildup of excess fluid in the eyes, which directly contributes to the development of glaucoma.
• ARMD – Being obese can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the eyes, which can drastically increase the risk of ARMD.

Purchase a Pair of Stellar Shades

The more sun exposure a person’s eyes receive, the greater the chance of developing cataracts. This is mostly due to the ultraviolet light emitted from the sun, which can also increase the risk of ARMD. UV rays can cause significant changes in the metabolism of cells in the retina and lens. Therefore, it’s important to purchase sunglasses that protect against UV-A and UV-B wavelengths AND fully cover your eyes.

In addition to your yearly eye exams, there are things you can do on a daily basis to better protect your vision. For other useful tips and information, visit our blog! If you’re interested in learning more, or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

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