Keeping your body and mind healthy are imperative parts of everyday life, but just how often do you consider your eye health? Your eyes are your window into the world around you, so it’s important to keep them as healthy as possible. Here are some simple, everyday steps you can take to maintain good eye health.
Wear Sunglasses
Investing in a quality pair of sunglasses will help to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Too much UV exposure can increase your chances of eye-related health issues like cataracts and macular degeneration. Before choosing a pair, you’ll want to ensure they will block the right kind of rays. Purchase a pair of sunglasses advertised to block 99% or 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Polarized lenses can help reduce glare, but don’t offer very much protection from UV rays. Finding a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses as well as UV protection is an added bonus.
Wraparound lenses can be a great option as well if you want to ensure your eyes are protected from the sides as well as the front; these are also handy if you are fond of hiking and adventuring, as they stay securely on your head.
Don’t like glasses? You may even be able to find contact lenses that offer UV protection, but you should still double up with sunglasses if you’re going to be outdoors for an extended period of time. The sun may feel great, but too much of a good thing can be bad for your health, as well as your eyes.
Eat Healthy
As with most things regarding your health, what you eat plays a large role in the overall health of your eyes. Vision problems that come with age can help be minimized if you eat a diet rich in nutrients such as Omega-3, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E. To get a healthy dose of these nutrients, fill up on foods like kale, spinach, salmon, eggs, nuts, oranges, oysters, beans, and pork. These nutrients are also available as supplements, but be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any new supplements. A healthy diet rich in nutrients and vitamins will also help you maintain a healthy weight, minimizing your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, which contributes to eye issues, such as blindness, in adults.
Regularly Visit the Eye Doctor
Everyone, regardless of their age, should get regular yearly eye exams with a certified eye doctor. These exams can help detect eye-related diseases like glaucoma, which doesn’t produce any symptoms. Catching these diseases early on makes them much easier to treat, and your eye doctor will be with you every step of the way.
Your eye doctor will also work with you to check your prescription and make sure it stays stable. They will also help you keep it updated as needed and provide lens frames for you to choose from. Ensuring you wear the proper eyewear is very important to living a clear, unimpeded life.
Take Breaks From Your Screen
In today’s modern world, so many of our everyday tasks revolve around a screen, whether it’s your phone, your computer, or your TV. Staring at a screen for an extended amount of time can cause blurry vision, eye strain, headaches, and even back pain.
Ensure you take steps to protect your eyes when you can’t avoid a screen. Update your prescription, invest in computer glasses, avoid glare from windows or lights, adjust your screen so your eyes are level with the top of it, and take short breaks every 20 minutes to rest your eyes. Try to cut screen-use 2 hours before bed to better allow for sleep, as blue light from screens can mess with your melatonin development.
It’s important to maintain good eye health so you can attempt to combat age-related vision issues. Follow these simple tips and consult with your eye doctor on a regular basis so you can ensure you see clearly for many years to come.
Dixie Somers is a freelance writer who loves to write for business, health, and women’s interests. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.
