Keep an Eye on Your Vision

March is Save Your Vision Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to talk about eye health. With the average screen time sitting at seven hours per day for adults, it’s critical we all take time to prevent damage and protect our eyes online.

That said, here are a few guidelines to consider and share with your loved ones this March.

1. Practice the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.

2. Stay hydrated. If you need another reason to drink more water, this may be it: Hydration is critical to eye health.

3. Shut down all screens at least one hour before bedtime. Not only will your eyes thank you, but you’ll sleep better, too.

4. Reduce screen glare if possible. Use an anti-glare matte screen to reduce glare’s effect on your eyes. Glare can prevent your eyes from making adjustments they need to in order for you to focus.

5. Schedule annual eye exams. A comprehensive eye exam can identify early warning signs of more than 270 diseases, including diabetes, high blood

pressure, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. And while you may be tempted to DIY, online vision tests often give inaccurate or misleading information.

Hours of daily screen time can harm your eyesight, contributing to digital eye strain, dry eyes, and an increase in myopia or nearsightedness. The good news is that the above steps can help protect your vision, along with taking advantage of the many health insurance carriers and plans that include provisions for vision health.

If you have any questions about if your vision is covered in your heath plan, or if you're looking for other options don't hesitate to reach out. Laurie Reece Insurance is dedicated to helping seniors in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina with the Medicare options. Reach out today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.