Do diet and smoking affect vision?
Oxidative damage affects the eyes just like any other organ, so a diet high in antioxidants can help keep eyes healthy.

Smoking is one of the worst things for eyes. It can bring on cataracts sooner than normal and accelerate macular degeneration, the major cause of vision impairment in adults over 50.

How does our health affect our vision? What diseases can cause vision change?
Any disease that affects blood vessels can affect eyes, since eyes have a network of small but critical blood vessels.

Both hypertension and diabetes can permanently damage vessels deep within the eye, which is why if you have either condition, it's important to see an ophthalmologist annually. These conditions can be nipped in the bud if caught early.

Are extra vitamins or minerals needed to prolong optic health?
In the U.S., vitamin deficiencies are rare, so your daily multivitamin should be enough for healthy eyes. Since diseases such as macular degeneration are more common in the elderly, you sometimes see "eye health" vitamin compounds marketed toward them. These supplements won't hurt you, but they're usually not necessary.

Is there any validity to those old wives' tales about the dangers of reading in a dark room or sitting too close to the TV?
No. Sit as close to the TV as you want. Read in a dark room. Kids have better visual function than adults and can read just fine in dim lighting. That's one reason teenagers love to drive at night and most adults hate it.

They have twice as much retinal sufficiency as we do. So when they say they can see just fine, they're probably telling the truth.

Can working at computers harm our vision?
Computer use won't hurt your long-range vision, but you can get dry eye or eyestrain if you work at your desk too long. Eyestrain is a result of focusing on something that's 18 inches away, as opposed to looking around a room, when your focus is constantly switching between things that are near and things that are far.