The eyes are no different to any other part of the body. They need looking after if you want to keep them strong and healthy. There are some lifestyle changes you can make to help protect the eyes and there are some surgical treatments available too that can ensure the eyes stay clear and with perfect vision. This article has a look at all the different ways it is possible to make sure the eyes stay strong and healthy.

First and foremost it is a good idea to make sure your lifestyle promotes overall good eye health. This means that a good pair of sunglasses should always be worn on sunny days. Cheap sunglasses often don't have adequately protective lenses, so always look for a pair that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Smoking can also weaken eyes in the long term and a poor diet is bad for overall eye health too. Vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and carrots should be eaten frequently and making sure you drink plenty of water is important too. You can avoid eye strain by doing a few eye exercises. Looking for one side to the other and then back again is a good starting out exercise. Anyone who stares at a computer screen all day in particular should practice occasional eye exercises.

As the body ages, eyesight is one of the first things affected. The majority of people over the age of 70 suffer from cataracts and presbyopia (degeneration of sight caused by aging) is a frequent condition. It is possible to receive treatment for both of these conditions however. A refractive lens exchange is specifically designed for people over 50. It involves removing the lens of the eye using ultrasound technology and replacing it with an artificial one. Because cataracts are caused by the hardening and clouding of the lens of the eye, an artificial lens means that cataracts can never return (or occur in the first place). Because the artificial lenses used in this procedure are customised to the individual patient, it means that other benefits can be incorporated into the eye.

An existing refractive error can be dealt with using a refractive lens exchange. Rather than using laser eye surgery to flatten or steepen the cornea, a new lens can be inserted to provide the focus and clarity that was previously lacking. Anyone who is shortsighted can suddenly see things far away. Someone with longsightedness can find themselves able to read a newspaper thanks to a customised, artificial lens.

As well as age related problems and refractive errors that naturally occur, sometimes eye diseases can develop. These can include glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration. All of these conditions can lead to eventual blindness if no treatment is provided. Sometimes lifestyle changes coupled with eye drops can prevent open angle glaucoma for getting any worse for example, but other conditions such as age related macular degeneration need laser eye surgery to stop it in its tracks.

Laser eye surgery is a very effective surgery and it can save sight. Closed angle glaucoma is caused by inadequate space in the eye for fluid to pass. Pressure builds and this causes pain, swelling, blurred vision and headaches. If nothing is done to treat the problem then sight can slowly begin to diminish. Diabetic retinopathy is another serious condition of the eye. It is a risk for those with diabetes because the illness starts to weaken the blood vessels in the eye. When they weaken they start to leak and the leakage causes the retina to become detached. This is very serious and will cause blindness. Laser eye surgery will stop this from occurring and save the person's eyesight.

Having good eyesight is a vital part of life. Whilst there are some lifestyle changes it is possible to make to ensure eyesight stays clear, sometimes this is simply not enough. There are conditions of the eye that will lead to blindness if treatment is not provided but there is laser eye surgery and a refractive lens exchange available. Lasik eyes surgery is very effective glaucoma surgery, age related macular degeneration treatment and an effective procedure to fight diabetic retinopathy.