Learn more about the Eyes and Their Needs
Why Are Eye Exams Important?
Like physical body check ups, maintaining ones vision and eye health at any given time is important. Not only do eye exams have the potential to improve ones eyesight, but also maintain eye health by catching eye diseases at the beginning stages and treating them as soon as possible.
Nutrients for Maintaining Eye Health
Foods rich with Omega-3
Commonly found in certain fatty fish and plant-sources such as seeds and nuts, including but not limited to:
Salmon
Herring
Mackerel
Anchovies
Chia Seeds
Walnuts
Flaxseed
Caviar
Omega Fatty Acids can help reduce the risk of high eye pressure and prevent and treat dry eye syndrome.
Leafy green vegetables rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin
High amounts of these two important carotenoids can maintain eye health and reduce the risk of certain eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. These antioxidants can be found in, for instance:
Corn
Pistachio
Durum wheat
Spinach
Kale
Broccoli
Peas
Bok Choy
Foods rich with Vitamin A
This essential micronutrient helps by maintaining the health of the retinas, conjunctival membranes, and cornea; and prevent age-related eye diseases along with the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin. The vitamin can also be found in:
Leafy Green vegetables
Red Bell Pepper
Liver
Orange and Yellow Vegetables
Sweet Potato
Cantaloupe
Foods rich with minerals such as Zinc, Iron, Calcium, or Copper
These minerals, when combined with essential vitamins and antioxidants, can help aid in maintaining vision health as well as protect the eyes.
Zinc
Oysters
Crabs
Pork
Iron
Strawberries
Edamame
Shrimp
Calcium
Dairy products
Almonds
Leafy green
Copper
Mushroom
Sunflower Seeds
Dark Chocolate
Foods rich with Vitamin B
With eight variations of Vitamin B, are all essential to maintain a healthy body. Researchers noticed that vitamins B6, B9, and B12, in particular, impacts eye health by reducing inflammation and AMD development.
Whole Grains
Eggs
Legumes
Citrus Fruits
Avocados
Meat/Poultry/Fish
Fortified Breakfast Cereals
Liver
Foods rich with Vitamin C
Not only effective in strengthen the immune system and skeletal system, it also promotes healthy blood vessels and lower the risks of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.
Citrus Fruit
Broccoli
Kiwis
Tomatoes
White Potatoes
Red Cabbage
Foods rich with Vitamin E
Not only great for the heart, brain, and immune system, this fat-soluble vitamin is vital in supporting long-term eye health and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.
Wheat Germ Oil
Peanut Butter
Mangoes
Asparagus
Almonds
Pumpkins
Collard Greens
Pine Nuts
Eye Disease & Disorders Terminology
An eye condition that affect one or (less common in) due to incomplete brain development causing the brain to mostly use the stronger eye than the weak/lazy eye.
A common vision condition causing blurred vision. Due to the cornea being irregular shaped or the curvature of the lens.
Cloudiness that forms in the cornea
Infection of the Meibomian gland
Eye disorders caused by prolonged usage of any digital/electronic devices with screens
Inflammation of the conjunctiva
An eye condition caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina that can lead to vision loss and blindness
When there is not enough tear production to lubricate the eyes
Medical known as, allergic conjunctivitis, is when indoor and outdoor allergens enter your eye causing an allergic reaction in the form of itchiness, swelling, and redness in both eyes.
Bright spots or punctures of light that appear in your field of vision. Caused when the vitreous fluid in the eye changes and creates friction on several areas of the retina.
If number of Flashes and Floaters increase dramatically contacts your eye doctor right away, as it is a sign of retinal detachment*
Small spots that float within your field of vision, caused by strands of vitreous fluid coagulating together and casting shadows on the retina.
If number of Flashes and Floaters increase dramatically contacts your eye doctor right away, as it is a sign of retinal detachment*
When internal eye pressure reaches dangerously high levels, compressing the retina and optic nerve to damage, resulting in pain and possible blindness.
Known as farsightedness is a vision condition in which people cannot see close objects clearly, but objects farther away clearly.
When the cornea begins to thin and bulge into a cone shape
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Commonly found in people over age 50, this eye disease affects and minimizes central vision in one or both eyes. Two types of this eye disease are...
Atrophic/Dry
Most common form of Macular Degeneration, typically painless, and occurs in 3 stages that progresses over time. During the early and intermediate stages symptoms may not or mildly appear, in the form of distortion, dimness in color or light, or blurriness. However, for the late stage there is no treatment, but if it affects one eye there are steps to persevere the other eye.
Advanced Neovascular/Wet
When blood or fluid from abnormal blood vessels in the retina begin to leak into the macula, which prevents the full function of the retina’s ability. This form of AMD can be derived from Dry AMD and lead to permanent vision loss
Known as nearsightedness is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred.
Thyroid Eye Disease/Graves' Eye Disease
An autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the thyroid causing an increase production of thyroid hormones. This can lead to the following symptoms:
Double vision, Decreased vision, Proptosis: Bulging of eye, Redness, Optic nerve compression