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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough you can't prevent farsightedness, you can help protect your eyes and your vision. Follow these steps:
- Have your eyes checked. Regardless of how well you see, have your eyes checked regularly.
- Control chronic health conditions. Certain conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can affect your vision if you don't receive proper treatment.
- Recognize symptoms. Sudden loss of vision in one eye, sudden hazy or blurred vision, flashes of light, black spots, or halos or rainbows around lights may signal a serious medical problem, such as acute glaucoma, a stroke or some other treatable retinal condition such as retinal tear or detachment. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of these signs or symptoms.
- Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is especially important if you spend long hours in the sun or are taking a prescription medication that increases your sensitivity to UV radiation.
- Eat healthy foods. Maintain a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables. A diet containing these foods has been associated with a decreased incidence of macular degeneration. Eat dark leafy foods and bright-colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, yams and cantaloupe, which contain vitamin A and beta carotene.
- Don't smoke. Just as smoking isn't good for the rest of your body, it can adversely affect your eye health as well.
- Use the right glasses. The right glasses optimize your vision. Having regular exams will ensure that your eyeglass prescription is correct.
- Use good lighting. Turning up the lights can improve contrast and help you see better.
References
- Care of the patient with hyperopia. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-15.pdf. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Refractive error. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec09/ch099/ch099a.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Frequency of ocular examinations. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/ClinicalStatements_Content.aspx?cid=810eaf61-181e-41c8-a0e8-e1d122efe5a4. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Preferred practice patterns: Refractive errors and refractive surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/PPP_Content.aspx?cid=e6930284-2c41-48d5-afd2-631dec586286. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Opticians, dispensing. U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Bower KS. Laser refractive surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Eye health tips. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips.asp. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 2, 2010.
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