Healthy Body, Healthy Life

We all know that being healthy is all about taking care of yourself and your body as a whole. Making sure you are eating a balanced diet and skipping junk food, ensuring you are getting regular exercise, and managing any adverse health conditions are things that come to mind when we think about striving towards being the healthiest versions of ourselves. As we prioritize our well-being, we make sure to attend our regular medical checkups, and even try to make our routine dental exams. Though these are good and critical efforts to keep us healthy, there might be a crucial aspect we might be neglecting. Our eyes.

We have all heard that expression, ‘eyes are the windows to the soul.’ Though poetic, there is some weight to the remark. Our eyes truly are windows, not necessarily to our souls per say, but to the world around us.

Why Healthy Eyes Matter

Our days begin when we open our eyes and tumble out of bed, and end as our eyes flutter closed as we  drift off to sleep at night. Throughout the day our eyes are working in conjunction with the rest of our bodies as we go about our routines. Even on the days we find ourselves sick and resting in bed our eyes are still preforming as we take solace in the comfort of our favorite shows.

There is no questioning the momentous importance our eyes have on our lives, and that without their aid daily life would be drastically different. Even a mundane task such as buttering your toast could be altered without sight. For those reasons alone it highlights the importance of keeping our eyes healthy. But they are far from the only reasons.

• Visual Clarity: Having healthy eyes allows us to have clear and sharp vision to be able to see the world around you in full detail. Having unobstructed vision is necessary to allow us to perform daily functions properly, including that of the ability to drive safely.
• • Independence: Maintaining healthy eyes helps you maintain your independence and reduces the reliance on others for assistance. Having sharp vision allows you to navigate the world around your confidently at your own pace.

• • Safety: To keep ourselves and others safe we do rely on our senses. Our noses allow us to smell smoke and other potentially dangerous odors, our ears alert us to sirens, but our eyes truly are the guiding point to maintaining our safety. Be it crossing the street, using a kitchen knife properly or merely preventing ourselves from walking into a wall. Our eyes help us redirect ourselves from potential danger.
  • Quality of Life: Being able to see well allows us to not only go about our daily routines, but enjoy our favorite pastimes such as watching movies, playing sports, and enjoying art exhibitions and performances.
  • Learning and Education: When it comes to learning, there are conventionally four types of learning: visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic. And with more education pivoting to virtual settings the ability to see and interact with devices is important.
  • Detect Health Issues: Remember how we said that our eyes were windows that helped us see the world around us? Just like the physical windows we have in our homes; our eyes not only allow us to see outside, but inside as well. As an intertwined attribute of our body, our eyes can signal other health issues we might not be aware of like glaucoma, or macular degeneration. And at times serious health ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain autoimmune disorders.

These are only a handful of notable reasons why our eyes and their health are critical for our daily lives and ability to maintain our way of life. In addition to the ones mentioned, there is a notable fiscal impact that can develop with vision problems if left untreated.

The best means to help keep your eyes healthy. Regular eye exams and a healthy lifestyle.

Navigating Eye Exams and Care

Previously, it was commonly recommended that adults between the age of 18 and 64 and school-aged children should get at least an eye exam every two years unless indicated otherwise by their ophthalmologist. This recommendation has been revised as of March of this year where the American Optometric Association has now advised that adults should be examined every year regardless of their health status.

In most cases we often find ourselves sitting in the examination chair when we notice clear changes in our vision or an already existing prescription. You may start to notice your eyes bothering you after a prolonged period of staring at your screen at work, or possibly your child  comes home from school and comments that it was a bit harder for them to see the board during class.

More likely than not these can be clear indications of vision change.

Why Would My Vision Change?

Eye exams, much like dental exams, can leave you with feeling of overwhelming concern regarding the doctor’s assessment following your rounds of tests, assessments and examination. having slight changes in our eyesight over the years is a normal thing. One that is often the result of several numerous factors, including:

• Age: Age is a common reason for vision change that generally (unless advised by your doctor) is not overly concerning. As we age, the lenses of our eyes become less flexible and can cause us difficulty having sharp vision on items that are close. Or suddenly one might find themselves struggling with seeing things clearly at a distance. This is why many people with vision issues require reading or prescription glasses somewhere in their 40s or 50s, and sometimes younger.
• • Genetics: When it comes to health, we are all familiar with how our health is affected by our family history. Our genetic makeup may lead us to be more susceptible to developing certain health conditions. This sentiment echoes in dental and eye health as well. Those with a family history of conditions including glaucoma and macular degeneration should have their vision checked regularly by a licensed optometrist.

• • Medication and Health Conditions: Often the medication we are prescribed can leave us with various side effects. Some of which can affect your eyesight with instances of blurry vision, dryness or even heightened light sensitivity. Like medication, sometimes our other health ailments can affect our eyes. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and even various autoimmune disorders among others, can have various effects on our ability to see clearly.

• • Stress: Stress is a part of life we all face, but elevated levels and constant stress can have such strong and drastic effects on our mental and physical health. During these periods when someone is experiencing intense stress it could potentially lead to strong and unexpected symptoms. From developing eye twitching, double vision and blurred version that could last for minutes or a prolonged period.

• • Unhealthy Habits: There is an expression that reminds us that we are effectively what we consume. And that our actions have consequences. From favoring an unhealthy diet lacking proper nutritional value, getting inadequate sleep, failing to properly protect your eyes during dangerous activities and even smoking. These factors along with others can contribute to decrease in eye health.

• Ignoring Symptoms: Like other aspects of our body, we are often given various warnings when things start to run amiss. With our eyes things such as blurred version, eye pain or drastic changes in vision may lead to future complications if delayed.

Facing The Financials of Eye Care and Costs

When it comes to eye centric costs, there is quite a bit that can add up. Eye exam fees, prescription glasses, contact lenses, medications and even additional treatment can not only be overwhelming but also result in a potentially steep amount of cash. What do you do when you, or a close family member, require additional eye care and need a means to pay?

• Health or Vision Insurance: Many health insurance plans offer a range of eye-related coverage including exams to a selection of treatment options. Coverage does vary depending on insurance provider and the policy you choose.

• • Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts: Also known as FSAs or HSAs. In addition to offering other health insurance options, your employer might offer the opportunity to enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts of a Health Savings Account. These benefits allow you to set aside pre-tax money for medical related costs, including that of eye care.

• • Discounts and Promotions: Often eye care providers might offer various discounts, promotions and even deals for having an eye exam and then purchasing glasses or contact lenses. These options vary on availability based on your eye care provider, but they are worth investigating to manage the cost.

• Discount Retailers: It is no secret that glasses and contact lenses can be pricey. And that is at the basic level, depending on the complexity of your prescription and lens requirements the cost can be high. Even with potential deals offered at your ophthalmologist’s office, you might be struggling to afford your corrective lenses. For a cheaper alternative consider ordering your glasses or contact lenses from discount retailers online or at physical locations.

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Finding Your Budget Too Tight For Lenses?

Be it your first time getting your eyes examined in years or heading in for your yearly check. One can never be completely certain just how much your eyes have changed and what treatment might be required. Not to mention the associated costs required. When your tight budget is too tight for new prescriptions check on in to Check Into Cash’s payday loans.

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