“This post was sponsored by Think About Your Eyes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my review.”
The eyes are our window to the world. Through them, we see our children playing, flowers blooming, snow falling, the sun rising, waves crashing. We see nations torn apart by war, friends struggling with addiction.
Our eyes show our grief, happiness, sadness, excitement, confusion, surprise, disdain, disinterest. They are a reflection of the emotions inside of us. As the quote says, “Even when the mouth lies, your eyes tell the truth.”
In my own world, my eyes read books, watch concerts, edit the stories I write. My eyes watch my four-year old dig in the sand and my seven-year old search for sharks teeth. My eyes watch my pen write down goals, dreams, favorite quotes.
Most people do not take care of their eyes well enough. Many individuals routinely try new culinary regimens (gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole 30, vegan, vegetarian) in an effort to feel healthier, lose weight and have more energy, but no one I know is particularly eating foods specifically to benefit their eyes.
Further, I’ve been into running and fitness heavily now for three years and among all of the people I know who are active and fit like me, we rarely talk about nourishing and exercising our eyes like we do our bodies.
Think About Your Eyes is a national public awareness campaign that offers resources and promotes the benefits of eye health, urging individuals to get annual comprehensive eye exams. Campaign staff recently surveyed members of national fitness chain, Life Time Fitness. Similar to what I’ve seen in my own life, the survey found that gym-goers neglect their eye health despite being very conscious of their body health and fitness. Just like every other muscle in our body, our eyes need regular care to maintain maximum performance.
The campaign’s website is full of information that ranges from which foods benefit eye health to tips on protecting your eyes against vision loss to info about taking care of our children’s eyes to resources on colorblindness, and more. The Think About Your Eyes initiative encourages everyone to receive an annual comprehensive eye exam so that eye problems can be detected at their early stages when they’re most treatable. If you don’t already have an eye doctor, you can visit the Think About Your Eyes professional locator.
As a mom to two little boys, I need to model positive eye care. I wear both glasses and contacts, so the boys are accustomed to watching me put contacts in or constantly search for my glasses once the contacts are out. What I need to be doing, however, is educating them on ways they can take care of their own eyes. Furthermore, I did not know, until reading through the Think About Your Eyes website, that school-age children should receive a comprehensive eye exam every two years if no vision correction is needed. It should be more frequent if the child has vision problems.
The Think About Your Eyes campaign is a very important one, and the website offers tons of helpful information and resources. To ensure we continue seeing the beauty in the world around us, we need to take care of our eyes and the eyes of our children. What better gift to give them than the capability to see well and heighten their potential for a bright future.
To ensure you receive the latest from the Think About Your Eyes Campaign, be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Jenn says
This is such great campaign! I often forget about my eyes I really need to get them checked as I get older and more work on my computer I find myself struggling.
susannabarbee says
I know! This campaign reminded me how important eye health is. I definitely put other types of health first.
Jeanine Macintosh says
This is fabulous. I didn’t get my eyes checked until I was 29 or 30…. turned out I needed a very light prescription, glad I checked.
susannabarbee says
Definitely! I can tell mine have gotten worse lately; it’s time for a check-up.
William Sweeney says
Almost everyone in our house has glasses!! We are extra careful with our vision and the kids as well! Love this diagram it’s an eye opener!
acowboyslife says
I actually never think about it! I forget how fortunate I am to have perfect visions and no issues.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I have worn corrective lenses since I was a child. Our vision checkups are ones that we never miss because they are so important/
Nicole Herose Cochingco Escat says
We all should love and take good care with our eyes.
susannabarbee says
Absolutely!
carrie@thelavenderhytta says
Our eyes are so important! I know as I have to wear contacts! Thanks for the great post!
Michele says
I definitely go to the eye doctor–as you age your eyes constantly change and yes, there could be problems that can come on virtually overnight. I go at least once a year if not more often!!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
IM bad about wearing my glasses. I need to take better care!
susannabarbee says
Me too!!