As 2019 has come to a close and 2020, also known as “the year of the eye” is upon us, it is important to focus on new habits that promote good health. At Optos, we stand by the idea that eye health, including regular comprehensive eye exams, including optomap, should always be at the top of your list.

Eye health is very commonly left off the list of resolutions made. Many resolutions encompass things such as eating habits, exercise and other surface health conditions, where eye health is often overlooked.

The first step to preserving eye health is scheduling a comprehensive eye exam that can assist in detecting any changes in vision and overall health. A commitment to a yearly eye exam can aid in the strides to prevent illness rather than treat it as it appears. Many adults with no eye-related symptoms will often forgo an annual eye exam, while many ocular diseases are asymptomatic in early stages.  Early detection of these diseases can have a significant impact on courses of treatment and the probability of positive outcomes. Your eyes are windows to the live action of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout your body. Abnormalities spotted in the eye are often the first signs of disease lurking elsewhere.

Following a healthy diet is often a popular New Year’s resolution and an important one at that. Many of us indulge throughout the holidays and look forward to a healthier new year. Eating a balanced diet is good for not only overall health, but also aids to promote good eyesight. Vitamins A, C, E and omega-3 can do wonders to help keep your eyes healthy. Alternately, a poor diet can contribute to vision loss.

Cutting back on smoking and alcohol consumption can also be a beneficial resolution to promote both overall and eye health. These habits can have a negative impact on vision and can increase the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Optos offers optomap, an ultra-widefield retinal imaging method that facilitates early detection from vision impairment or blindness, and other systemic disease. optomap captures more than 80% of the retina in a single image, whereas small-field methods reveal only 10 – 15%. Our eye care partners generally include optomap as part of their standard comprehensive eye exam.

As you finalize your resolutions this year, whatever they may be, we urge you to make preventative eye health a priority. Ask your eye care professional about optomap today.

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/healthy-vision-resources
https://www.aao.org/eye-health