June is Men’s Health Month. It was established to help bring awareness to health issues men face and to encourage them to take charge of their health. A number of retinal diseases can affect men, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Here are 11 steps men can take to help protect their eye health and vision:

  1. Get an annual dilated eye exam.
  2. Contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist any time you experience a change in vision.
  3. Stop smoking.
  4. Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety goggles when playing sports or working with power tools.
  5. Wear proper sunglasses that block ultraviolet radiation.
  6. Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, broccoli and dark leafy greens.
  7. Maintain a healthy weight.
  8. Stay active with regular, moderate exercise — aim for 30 minutes a day.
  9. Regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
  10. Know your family’s medical history and share it with your eye doctor to help detect any signs of potential disease early when treatment can be most effective.
  11. Protect your eyes while working on a computer — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds.

You can learn more about all of the retinal diseases Texas Retina Associates treats here.