You might not even spare them a thought, but your eyes are your window to the world, and it’s important to take care of them for a variety of reasons. Deterioration in vision can have huge ramifications for your ability to live an independent life – from driving, to working at a computer, doing DIY, or even just watching TV.

Some of the most common eye problems include degeneration of vision and overuse of the eye muscles, due to age, hours in front of bright computer screens, looking straight at the sun, or even damage from injury – flying woodchips from DIY projects, for example. Eye health can also be affected by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body, and other conditions such as diabetes and glaucoma.  

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to maintain 20/20 vision. Staying as healthy as possible is one of the best ways, through measures such as giving up smoking, getting more exercise, and cutting down on drinking. This can help to avoid conditions such as cataracts, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which, left unchecked, can affect eye health. Protecting your eyes from the sun using good-quality, dark sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat, are also a significant way to avoid common problems, with some studies suggesting that direct exposure to strong sunlight can lead to cataracts or even blindness.     

For those with problems, however, there are solutions to poor eye health. Adults can get eye tests from doctors’ clinics, which can help detect problems. Opticians can help you get glasses or contact lenses for common vision problems, while optometrists can help detect more serious issues. Ophthalmologists and orthoptists can go further, performing eye surgery, treating diabetic retinopathy, congenital problems, squints, cataracts, and glaucoma.    

Treatments can include cataracts surgeries and glaucoma treatment to preserve vision and release pressure. There are also several forms of LASIK laser vision correction available. LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) uses a laser to peel back a section of the cornea and correct the affected eye tissue; the corneal flap is then folded back into place, with limited pain or damage, leaving near-perfect vision in its wake.

It’s important to choose a reputable clinic for LASIK, which is available across the US. It requires surgeons with extensive experience and a reputable practice, and examples include Denver Eye Surgeons, your LASIK doctor in Denver, Colorado, whose motto is “doctors with a caring eye.” Based in Lakewood, the clinic offers a free consultation, several different kinds of LASIK choices and techniques, an assured reputation, and financial packages to help spread the cost.      

The most effective way to improve your eye health is to prevent damage in the first place, and living as healthily as possible, avoiding bright light, and limiting time in front of the screen are some the best means – though rest assured that, should your eyes be affected by injury, diseases, or other problems, there are high-quality solutions available that can come to your aid.