Your eyes are the windows to the world around you and taking care of them should be of the utmost importance. Whether you have perfect vision or not, there are plenty of ways you could be hurting your eyes without knowing. Protect your eyes to help maintain your quality of life, and reduce the risk of vision loss that comes with age.
Small preventative measures, like wearing sunglasses and eating greens, can help protect your eyesight and prevent vision problems later in life. Here is a list of seven eye care tips that will help you protect your eyes and your vision for years to come.
7 Ways to Protect Your Eyes
Blink. Sounds simple, but you might be surprised how often we forget to blink throughout the day. With the rise of technology, many of us are exposed to digital screens for up to eight hours a day. Whether it is watching television, browsing the internet or interacting with friends on social media, all have a negative effect on your eyes. You blink less when you are looking at a screen so remember to blink more. Blinking lubricates the eyes and prevents dryness and irritation. If blinking is hard, try to look away from the screen at intervals and blink 10 times in a row.
Eat for Your Eyes. Eye health starts with a good diet. It’s not just carrots that help your eye sight — dark green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and dark-colored berries all contain essential nutrients and antioxidants that will do wonders for your eyes. Vitamin A, for example, is commonly found in bright yellow and orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. Fruits like strawberries, oranges and mangoes provide vitamin C and other antioxidants, which also help fight eye disease. Salmon and other cold-water fish are also high in omega 3s — good for tear production, which relieves dry eyes.
Get Regular Eye Exams. It’s important to get regular checkups to catch any eye problems such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. It is recommended for patients to follow the below eye exam schedule:
- At 40: a baseline eye exam
- From 40 to 55: an eye exam every 2 to 4 years
- Ages 55 to 64: an eye exam every 1 to 3 years
- At 65 and up: an eye exam every year
Replace Your Contact Lens Every Two or Three Months. It is important to maintain the highest of hygiene standards when caring for your contact lenses. This includes the case you carry them in and how you sterilize them. As a basic rule of thumb, you should replace the case every 2-3 months.
Apply the 20:20:20 Rule. Another tip for computer or any digital-screen users. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This exercise encourages the eyes to relax the muscles inside the eye to reduce fatigue. Another exercise is to look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds then gaze at something up; close for 10 to 15 seconds. Do this 10 times. This exercise will help reduce the risk of your eyes locking up after prolonged computer use.
Protect Your Eyes. Remember to always wear sunglasses that shield your eyes from 100 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays when you’re outdoors during the daytime. This may help reduce your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye disorders.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on the body and is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation. For added protection, shield with a wide brim hat for full coverage and shade.
Don’t smoke. The many dangers of smoking have been well-documented, especially when it comes to eye health. Smokers or people highly exposed to secondhand smoke are at greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, uveitis, and other eye problems.
Schedule a Consultation
Our eyes are important for performing everyday activities. Reduce the risks associated with eye disorders with these essential eye care tips. If you have an eye health issue or think it’s time for a checkup, get in contact with the team at Advanced Eye Medical.