Today’s healthcare system focuses too often on disease detection and medical treatment after the fact. The increasing numbers of people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes is a perfect example of this in our country. A far better approach is avoidance of the disease by lifestyle changes including nutrition, diet, weight control, and exercise. Physicians and patients are both guilty of facing the new health care challenges of the 21^st century with 19^th century thinking. For the patient, the easy answer many times is to blame the doctor or hospital and not assume some of the responsibility. For the doctor, his role is detection and treatment of the disease many times prescribing too many medications rather than taking time to educate about lifestyle changes.

In today’s environment, studies show we are dealing with many disease-causing toxins and pollutants that can weaken our natural immune system. In addition, the effects of over-prescribing systemic antibiotics, stomach acid blockers , and a host of prescription medicines has disrupted our bodies natural digestive, circulatory, immune, and regulatory systems. Despite a country that has more doctors and hospitals than any other, our life expectancy here in the USA has begun to decline.

For doctors, health care providers, and patients this is a wake-up call for changing our mindset about health and wellness. The human body can heal and recover if provided with the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and essential minerals to survive. We can avoid many disease processes by making lifestyle changes. This will require a commitment on all our parts to have the discussion about preventive care and research and educate ourselves on the benefits of nutrition.

In the eye care field, we can all do some basic things to take better care of the health of our eyes. Of course, how you manage your overall general health directly affects your eyes. Nutritional choices for eye health is much the same as is for general health: a diet rich in brightly colored vegetables and fruit, probiotic foods to aid in digestion, antioxidants such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin found in spinach and kale. Sunlight/UV protection is another must in reducing the aging changes and damage to the retina of the eye. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have other preventive health questions to take better care of your eyes.

Rick L. Hartman OD, FAAO