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Eye Health: A Window to Your Health Your eyes can be a window into your overall health. Doctors of optometry can detect more than 270 serious health conditions, according to the American Optometric Association. About one in five Americans in a 2018 survey said an eye health professional has detected or diagnosed them with a non-eye-related health issue. These include serious conditions from diabetes and high blood pressure to autoimmune diseases and cancers. If you experience blurred or obstructed vision, drooping eyelids, night blindness, or other eye-related concerns, you should see your provider as soon as possible. Even when you don’t have specific concerns, you can keep your eyes healthy with regular preventive care. • Wear sunglasses. Protection from ultraviolet rays is not just important for skin, but eyes too. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays, which can cause damage to the eyes and eye area over time. Caring for your oral and eye health is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of overall well-being. By integrating oral and visual health into your routine health care, you are investing in the health of not only some of your most vital sensory organs, but your entire body. To learn more visit harvardpilgrim.org How to Maintain Eye Health • Regular eye exams. Adults should schedule an eye exam every one to two years, so check to see what’s covered under your current vision health plan. • Avoid eye strain. Focusing on screens for too long is a common cause of eyestrain. To give your eyes the rest they need, try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, shift your gaze to an object about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.