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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough you can't prevent nearsightedness, 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 for problems.
- 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 eye problem, such as a retinal tear or detachment, requiring urgent medical attention. Similar symptoms can be caused by other serious medical problems, such as acute glaucoma or a stroke. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) 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 includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, which have shown to enhance eye health. Try foods that contain vitamin A and beta carotene, such as carrots. Dark leafy greens and fish also may be especially helpful for good eye health.
- Don't smoke. Just as smoking isn't good for the rest of your body, it can 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. Use adequate light for optimal vision.
References
- Care of the patient with myopia. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-15.pdf. 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 Oct. 14, 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.
- Opticians, dispensing. U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm. Accessed Oct. 15, 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 Oct. 15, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 20, 2009.
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