the good doctor on: Staying Healthy
Number ten in our blogs - it's hard to believe.
Just so you know, the Killdeer family hung out for that day, then relocated. I am continuing with the theme of prevention: keeping those nasty deer ticks from infecting, not letting the COVID virus gain access to our ACE2 proteins, and now, keeping your vision optimal and your eyes healthy.
Our health care system needs to emphasize prevention. Yes, we need to address urgent care and acute conditions, but we really need to shift our emphasis to prevention for the long haul. That is why I want to look at the body’s circulation. The human eye has close to 1.2 million individual receptors, each capable of receiving a photon of visible light energy and converting into an action potential. These receptors are firing all the time, and this requires a lot of oxygen and nutrients. We are quite aware that we can inherit or develop eye conditions, but at the same time there are behaviours and eating habits that can modify these conditions.
If we are discussing cholesterol, for instance, we know that we help ourselves by changing our diet and by exercising because these modifying behaviors help prevent arteriosclerosis. These behaviours also benefit the eye. Under the receptors in the eye, is the choroid, a thick network of fine blood vessels that provide nourishment. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, staying away from omega 6 and 9 oils and trans-fats, and taking omega 3 oils all help. Giving up smoking (and vaping) helps with the circulation and most importantly, regular cardiovascular exercise is needed.
Exercise can be brisk walking, cycling, jogging, running, swimming or rowing. All these activities increase lung capacity, improve circulation throughout the body, and over the years, will keep the eyes well supplied with the oxygen and nutrients that they need. What is so cool about prevention is that it is all within our reach, and it can even be done with social distancing. The key is to start as early as possible and to make exercise a good habit. It has been really encouraging to see a lot of people outside, walking or cycling, during these times of isolation.
So let’s keep it up, as the saying goes, a paarlauf a day keeps the eye doctor away,
Til next week,
The Good Doctor, Dr. Mark Germain, Burlington Eyecare.
