Think for a moment of all the things that you do on a daily basis that require good eyesight—making meals, driving to work or to run errands, checking your email, counting money or watching television. Since proper eyesight is so important to everything we do, being proactive with prevention and not overlooking problems as they develop is a must.

Just like working to maintain a healthy weight, taking care of your eyesight can also become part of your daily routine.

The experts at NorthShore's Eye and Vision Center offer these quick tips on how you can protect your eyes and maintain vision health:

• Get a dilated eye exam. Not only will an ophthalmologist be able to determine if you need corrective lenses, but many common eye conditions (such as macular degeneration and glaucoma) do not have early warning signs. A dilated eye exam can also help identify damage to your eye. This exam can also be used to follow systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes that can affect vision.

• Don’t smoke! Not only is smoking bad for your eyes, but research suggests it is also linked to an increased risk of future eye damage and conditions including macular degeneration.

• Eat a nutritious diet and maintain an appropriate weight. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy and help you maintain a normal weight.

• Learn about your family’s eye health conditions and overall medical history. Knowing your eye health history can help determine if you are at greater risk for eye disease. While not all eye conditions are hereditary, it is helpful to know what you may be more prone to and what preventive steps can be taken.

• Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses when you are outside to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. If your job or sporting hobbies require protective eyewear, be sure to use them. This protective gear can include goggles, safety glasses and shields.

What do you currently do to protect your eyes and maintain healthy vision? Do you know your family’s eye health history?