The Eyes Are the Prize

WE WATCH OUR salt and fat intake to protect our hearts. We exercise and take calcium to protect our bones. We slather on sunscreen to protect our skin. But what can we do to protect our eyes? Turns out, quite a lot. We asked experts what lifestyle steps people should be taking to protect their vision and eye health.
Spring for some quality shades...
"Protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light-sunlight is very important," says Esen Akpek, MD, an ophthalmology professor at Johns Hopkins University. "It's one of the biggest things in our environment to have an impact on the eyes. Ultraviolet light has been shown to have an effect on cataract development and macular degeneration."
To shield your eyes, wear sunglasses certified to block out 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB light. Surprisingly, dark lenses aren't necessarily the most protective. "In fact, if the lenses are dark but not UV-protected, that's worse for your eyes, because when you're looking through dark lenses your pupils dilate, which lets more UV light inside to do damage," says Dr. Akpek.
and some sports glasses
Bu hikaye Reader's Digest US dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Reader's Digest US dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

FULL SPEED AHEAD
THE TEEN WAS TRAPPED IN A CAR ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. COULD IT BE STOPPED BEFORE HE RAN OUT OF ROAD?
News FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE
If you're trying to lose weight, drinking carbonated water might help your efforts at least a little.

YES, DRIVING IS MORE DANGEROUS NOW
After decades of declining fatality rates, more people are speeding, plowing through intersections, and driving impaired

Beat the Heat
How to stay cool when temperatures soar

Gripper the Class Turtle
IN 1993, A student at my wife's elementary school brought in a box turtle he'd found in the wild. My wife agreed to keep Gripper as a pet for her second grade class.

‘Without You I Wouldn't Be Alive Anymore’
A Georgia grandmother and a young German man are forever connected, thanks to a lifesaving donation

Your Wish Has Been Granted
Seniors are seeing their dreams come true, thanks to a former Olympic athlete

DIG IN!
CLASSIC COMFORT FOODS FROM ALL 50 STATES

SUN, FUN & PLASTIC SURGERY?
Americans are packing their bags and heading abroad for more affordable health care. Is that a good idea?

Warning: This Fruit May Orbisculate!
Two siblings honor their father by trying to get his made-up word into the dictionary