March is National Save Your Vision Month! In honor of this special month, here are 5 essential ways that you can help save your vision.

1. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, B, C, and E can protect your eye health and help save your vision from sight-threatening eye diseases like AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. If you feel your daily meals don't offer enough of these essential nutrients, ask your doctor whether you should add a daily supplement.

2. Limit Screen Time

Too much screen time can result in dry, red, irritated eyes, blurry vision, headaches, neck and back pain, and even negatively affect your mood and quality of sleep. Be more aware of how much time you and your children spend in front of digital screens and try to set limits whenever possible. You can also practice the 20-20-20 rule every 20 minutes.

3. Use Protective Eyewear

Every day, thousands of people receive emergency care for eye-related accidents, many resulting in permanent damage. Wear protective eyewear for all activities that pose an eye health risk, from sports to home improvement projects.

4. Wear Sunglasses All Year Round

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory. They shield your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can damage your vision and lead to serious eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure they offer 100% UV protection, and wear them year-round, even on cloudy and snowy days.

5. Quit Smoking

Smoking is not only dangerous for your overall health, it increases your risk for sight-threatening eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and cataracts. If you've been thinking about quitting, now's the time!

In honor of National Save Your Vision Month, why not try some of these vision-saving habits? Interested in learning more about how you can protect your eyes and vision? Contact Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio today to schedule an appointment. Call (937) 228-2020.