The eyes have been described as “windows to the soul,” but regarding their more practical and tangible value, they may be the sense most closely tied to quality of life.

Thus, ensuring the eyes are in good working order and not facing any looming concern is an important aspect of preventive care and well-being.

The best practice for maintaining vision health is having regular eye exams, according to Dr. Mark Ruchman, chief medical officer at Versant Health in Linthicum, Maryland.

“Having consistent checkpoints with eye care professionals ensures that people are up to date not only on their vision health but their overall health as well,” Ruchman says.

According to Southern California-based optometrist Barrett Eubanks, young and healthy people with no vision issues can go years without visiting the eye doctor, but people who wear glasses or contact lenses or have existing optical health should consider annual visits essential.

Beginning at 40 years old, it is important for all people to begin visiting an optometrist regularly to screen for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. At 60 years old, visits should be at least once every two years to screen for preventable eye conditions.

Eubanks advises people to visit an optometrist if they have eye pain or injury, blurred vision, flashing lights or floaters.

“The immediate impacts of people not taking care of their eyes include blurred vision and the loss of the ability to perform routine, day-to-day tasks,” Ruchman says. “Over the long term, deteriorating eye health could result in the loss of the richness of life that comes with clear, healthy vision.”

Love Your Eyes

People can address their eye health through several lifestyle practices, including eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and some unprocessed plant oils. Other practices include ensuring your work environment includes adequate lighting and investing in eye protection for work-related or recreational activities, such as polycarbonate lenses, Ruchman says.

Dr. Avnish Deobhakta, an ophthalmologist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in New York City, says the key to good eye health is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure and activities such as smoking can all cause problems with vision,” he says. “Eating foods like green leafy vegetables and healthy unprocessed oils, limiting the intake of processed fats and sugary items, and exercising routinely are key to having good vision throughout life.

“People can also do everyday things like reducing screen time, particularly at night, to avoid bothersome symptoms of eyestrain.”

Sony Sherpa, a physician running a holistic health clinic in Sacramento, cites several simple things people can do to protect their eyes health.

“Wearing protective sunglasses when going outside, getting sufficient sleep and taking breaks when in front of the screen can all help,” Sherpa says.