How much do you know about ocular health? Let’s find out. Take a look at the statements below – are they true or false? Try to give the quiz a shot before looking at the answers below. You can write “T or F” for each number on a piece of paper and check your answers at the end. No scrolling down!

1. Getting a regular physical at the doctor’s office can usually catch any eye problems.
2. As long as you have carrots when you think about it, you’re doing about all you can diet-wise to help your vision.
3. Most people don’t go to the optometrist regularly because you need a referral.
4. Most cases of infant blindness are caused by hereditary eye diseases.
5. A signature type of retinopathy is a key feature of cardiovascular disease.
6. Smoking is linked to several different types of eye disease.
7. If you can see perfectly but just get irritated eyes from time to time, there is no need to visit an optometrist.
8. Eyes can get sunburned so it is important to wear sunglasses that repel UVA and UVB rays.

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Answers:

1. FALSE. A full eye exam where your pupils are dilated by an eye care professional is the only way to ensure you have healthy eyes, or catch any potential eye problems. Many eye problems are not visible or obvious to an onlooker, so visiting your optometrist or ophthalmologist annually is the only way to detect a problem before it causes vision loss.
2. FALSE. Contrary to popular belief, there are many other foods that also promote eye health aside from carrots. Some of those include: leafy greens like spinach, fatty fish for their omega-3’s, citrus and berries for their plentiful vitamin C. Also, try to include eggs in your diet regularly as they offer many health benefits and medical studies have linked them to slowing or helping prevent macular degeneration.
3. FALSE. You do not need a referral to see an eye doctor, even though many people don’t realize this. Anyone can go to an optometrist, and there are online databases to help you find a professional near you.
4. TRUE. Over 60% of infant blindness cases are due to genetic predispositions to eye disease. Many common adult eye diseases that cause blindness such as glaucoma and macular degeneration also have genetic links. It is important to know your family history of eye problems and let your eye care professional know of any problems your family has with their eyes.
5. FALSE. A special type of retinopathy often goes hand in hand with diabetes, not cardiovascular disease. It is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and strikes up to 80% of diabetics who have had the disease for longer than a couple decades. Diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with regular screenings.
6. TRUE. According to the National Eye Institute, smoking is very detrimental to your vision (as it is to the rest of your body). It can contribute to macular degeneration, cataracts or even nerve damage to they eyes. So, if you’re a smoker who is concerned about your vision health, quit smoking today!
7. FALSE. You could have allergies or an eye condition called dry eye, which causes very irritated eyes due to blockages in your meibomian glands that prevent lubrication from properly forming to coat the eyes. It can get worse with time, and can even be linked to bigger underlying problems such as autoimmune disease. An optometrist can give you eye drops to help treat either condition.
8. TRUE. Your eyes most certainly can get sunburned, causing them to be red, dry, itchy and painful. It is important to avoid this unpleasant sun hazard with good quality sunglasses.

So how did you do? Hopefully 8/8! Hopefully you see how important it is not to neglect your peepers! Thanks for visiting DocChat!