If you can read this, thank your eyes for all the work they do for you. Much more than just the “windows to the soul,” your eyes are your “windows on the world.” It’s important to know how to protect your vision so that you will continue to see clearly for years to come, and for residents of East Ridge at Cutler Bay, we can help.
“At East Ridge at Cutler Bay, a life plan community, we know healthy vision is vitally important to one’s ability to enjoy life’s pleasures and remain mobile,” says Denise Aarons, Home Health Manager. “We care deeply about our residents’ efforts to maintain their optimal health and vision is no different.”
March has been designated as National Save Your Vision Month by the American Optometric Association and they offer a few tips on how to protect your vision on a daily basis.
• Get a baseline vision screening and establish a regular schedule of eye exams, yearly, if possible. A family history of eye conditions can be a warning of things to be on the lookout for, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
• Man-made light sources are not the same as sunlight, and our eyes have had to deal with those differences for decades. The more advanced that artificial light sources become, the more wearing they tend to be on our vision. The light emitted by LEDs, which include computer and smartphone screens, can be harmful to our eyes in the long term. Limiting the number of hours we stare intently at these screens can help you avoid eye fatigue or more serious damage to your vision.
• Wearing sunglasses when out and about may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it’s very important to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. And this is even more crucial in the bright, constant South Florida sun. Make sure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection, blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.
• While you may not be a smoker, avoid living amid second-hand smoke. Smoking tobacco has been directly linked to a long list of health risks, including age-related macular degeneration and the development of cataracts.
• If you wear contact lenses, be sure to follow your ophthalmologist’s instructions regarding their care and use. Sleeping with the wrong kind of lenses can be hazardous, and the proper cleaning and wetting solutions should always be used.
There’s a big, beautiful world out there and East Ridge at Cutler Bay offers plenty to see and do. Make sure your vision is in the best possible health by taking care of your eyes from day to day.
To see the lovely community we’ve built at East Ridge at Cutler Bay, arrange a visit by calling 305-256-3564.
About East Ridge
East Ridge at Cutler Bay is Miami-Dade County’s only true life care retirement community. The not-for-profit community draws from the neighborhood charm of suburban Cutler Bay and the vibrancy of Miami in a lush tropical setting of 76 acres, located at 19301 S.W. 87th Avenue. The community offers a continuum of care including independent and assisted living apartment homes in a neighborhood setting, respite and skilled nursing care, and rehabilitation services available within Three Palms Health Center. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (305) 256-3564 visit www.EastRidgeAtCutlerBay.com.