October is Blindness Awareness Month and according to the World Health Organization, there are 285 million people who are visually impaired worldwide, 39 million of whom are completely blind.

Eyesight is an important part of health. To keep your eyes healthy you need to follow simple guidelines.

  • You might think that your vision is fine, but visiting an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive dilated eye exam sometimes is the only way to really be sure. Many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration, often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages.
  • To maintain healthy eyes, you should eat well. Add fruits rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which also help fight eye diseases.
  • To keep your eyes healthy you better avoid smoking. When you smoke, cyanide from the smoke gets into your bloodstream and can destroy the eye’s cells.
  • Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing eye protection with UVA / UVB during bright sunlight. Remember that the skin around your eyes is susceptible and one of the thinnest on the body and is susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
  • Diabetes is the top cause of blindness. Maintain your blood sugar levels, 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable.
  • Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness. Age-related macular degeneration often affects people after age 60. It occurs when eye tissue degenerates, causing blurriness or loss of vision in the central part of the eye. There are two forms of macular degeneration: wet and dry. Noticing first signs and attending an ophthalmologist in a timely manner may save your vision.

Seventy-five percent of all cases of blindness are avoidable either through prevention or through treatment – which is why it is important to get your eyes tested at least once per year.

GCT is an expert in ophthalmic disease studies, having worked on over 10 unique ophthalmology indications. For more information, you can contact bd@gctrials.com.