Save Your Vision Month: 5 Ways to Preserve Your Vision for a Lifetime

March is “Save Your Vision” month, so we’re sharing the 5 most important things you can do to preserve your vision for a lifetime.

1. Don’t skip your annual eye exam. The importance of an annual (60 and over) or biannual (under age 60) eye examination cannot be overemphasized. The sophistication of this eye exam also must be considered. We have come a long way from the old days of “is it better one or better two,” and have developed intensely accurate diagnostic computer analytic tests that can pick up cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and many other conditions, often 5-15 years before they ever become symptomatic. Once these conditions are diagnosed, early intervention can be sight-savers in many cases.

2. Keep them protected. In terms of eye protection, not only have the traditional “safety glasses” expanded into almost every area of work and recreation, but their quality and appearance have improved as well. Longstanding examples of eye protection while using fireworks, opening champagne bottles and playing racquetball are still there, but consider yard work, mountain biking, kick boxing, basketball… you get the point. Our culture is so much more active now, and in such diverse ways, and having a good pair of safety glasses that can be used in many areas is a very good idea. Sporting goods stores as well as opticians and Optometrists offices carry these, as do many sites on the internet.

3. Better coverage. Let’s talk about sunglasses. The good news now is that even the cheap sunglasses at the big box stores have adequate ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) protection. Of course, the expensive and stylish ones do a great job as well. The two biggest areas where we believe our eyes need the most UV protection are when we are on a boat or a golf course for a prolonged period (4 hours or so). In these environments, the sunlight is pouring into our eyes, and we have proven UV exposure at these levels can advance cataract formation. You may not need sunglasses when walking from your house to your car, or even out walking the dog; but, better coverage is advised during prolonged periods of exposure.

4. Keep it healthy! Everywhere we go we hear about the importance of diet and exercise, and regarding eye health, it is no different. As an old family doctor says, “If it looks good, don’t eat it,” and get 20 minutes of cardio exercise at least three times a week. Diet, exercise, and overall “physical fitness” can help delay or prevent macular degeneration, cataract, diabetes and countless other ocular conditions.

5. Know your roots. It is a very good idea to be well aware of your family history regarding various eye conditions (and health in general). Glaucoma, cataracts at a young age, and macular degeneration are all clearly hereditary, though the exact predictiveness of that is not always easy. If you are proactive with this knowledge and have a very good annual or biannual eye exam, you should enjoy good visual function for many decades ahead.


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Our locations

1209 York Road,
Lutherville, MD, 21093
410-821-9490
Hours
Monday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

301 Saint Paul Place
Professional Office Building
Suites 514 & 902
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-8380
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Ridge Road Professional Center
7106 Ridge Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 866-2022
Hours
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
Suite 202
Abingdon, MD 21009
410-569-0707
Hours
Mon: 8am-4pm
Tue: 8am-6pm
Wed: 8am-5pm
Thu: 8am-5pm
Fri: 8am-4pm

111 Mt Carmel Rd #600
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6700
Hours
Hours:
Monday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
NO SATURDAY HOURS In November & December.
We will resume normal business for the 2nd and 4th Saturdays beginning the New Year 2024.

Optical Opens at 9:00am each day.

310 Main Street
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-5515
Hours
Mon 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tues 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Weds (CLOSED)
Thurs 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat (First and Third Saturday of the month): 8:00am - 1:00pm

21 Crossroads Drive
Suite 425
Owings Mills, MD 21117
443-738-4270
Hours
Tues & Thur: 8 am-5 pm
Fri: 8 am-4 pm

901 Dulaney Valley Road
Suite 200
Towson, MD 21204
410-583-1000
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm