The new year is a traditional time for fresh starts, and while resolutions often focus on fitness or diet, why not prioritize the sense that impacts nearly every aspect of your life: your vision? As optometrists, we are here to remind you that a healthier lifestyle in 2026 can lead directly to healthier eyes.
A HEALTHY BODY FOR HEALTHY EYES The simple resolutions you’re already making can do wonders for your vision. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables—think leafy greens like spinach and kale, and vibrant peppers—provides essential antioxidants and vitamins that protect your eyes from age-related issues. Coupled with daily physical exercise, which improves blood circulation to ocular tissues, these habits form the bedrock of long-term ocular health.
THE NON-NEGOTIABLE EYE EXAM While lifestyle changes are crucial, professional oversight is key. Make a resolution to schedule a comprehensive eye exam annually. Many serious eye conditions develop silently with no obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. An annual exam allows your eye doctor to detect these issues early, often before you notice any change in your vision.
For contact lens wearers, eye exams are also a critical time to reinforce proper hygiene. Always replace your contact lenses as per your doctor’s instructions, and never sleep in them unless explicitly told otherwise. Poor hygiene is a leading cause of eye infections and complications.
SPECIALIZED CARE FOR COMPLEX NEEDS If you currently experience vision problems not fully correctable with standard glasses, we offer solutions. Our clinic carries a large selection of low vision devices, including powerful magnifiers and specialized lighting, designed to help you maximize your remaining vision and maintain independence.
This year, also consider addressing that persistent irritation: dry eyes. We offer advanced evaluations for IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) dry eye treatment, a revolutionary approach to managing chronic dry eye symptoms by treating the root cause. Call today to schedule an evaluation and say goodbye to the discomfort of dry, itchy eyes.
INNOVATION IN SIGHT AND SOUND We are excited to announce we now carry the innovative Nuance glasses frames with built-in hearing enhancement. These stylish frames combine visual correction with discreet (nothing touches the ear), high-quality audio amplification, offering a seamless solution for those managing both vision and hearing challenges. Also consider the Meta Ray- Ban Smart Glasses – take photos and videos without handling your phone, listen to music without ear buds, ask Meta about the area you are in, find nearby restaurants, etc. A new update allows Meta to interpret foreign languages in real time. And if you have difficulty reading, Meta can read anything for you, including menus, street signs, etc.
There is also an app called Be My Eyes, with trained volunteers who see what you see and can tell you what you are looking at, such as the ingredients on a cereal box, or a sign on the street. They are great for people on the go, for people who travel, and also for people who need help seeing.
Finally, a special note to parents: if your child is struggling in school, falling behind in reading, or having difficulty concentrating, an eye exam is an excellent place to start. Undetected vision problems often mimic learning disabilities, and a simple prescription could be the key to unlocking their potential. And for those parents who are nearsighted and worry about their children falling into the same situation, we now have spectacle lenses and contact lenses that have been proven to slow down the progression of myopia!
Make 2026 the year you prioritize your sight. Call our office today at 580-243-1121 or visit www. DrsBintzAndEllis.com, where you can learn more about our practice and try on frames virtually on your phone or computer. Schedule your appointment and ensure a clear view of the year ahead.
