Taking Care of Your Eyes
Your eyes play a critical role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing, so it is essential to take proper care of them as well as other organs and tissues.
Preventing eye diseases and conditions by taking good care of your eyes is an effective way to guard against their development. If not addressed early on, these ailments could result in vision loss.
Regular eye exams from an optometrist are essential to monitor any changes in vision and make sure the problem does not worsen. This is especially essential if there is a family history of eye disease or vision issues in your family.
Consume nutritious foods to support eye health. These include foods rich in vitamins C, A and E as well as lutein. Furthermore, beta-carotene, Omega-3 fatty acids and lycopene can be found on fish or other seafood sources. Fish oil also provides beneficial sources of these essential vitamins.
Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays from the sun to reduce your risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Furthermore, avoid sunburn as this can aggravate corneal damage, leading to dry eye symptoms in the long run.
Maintain a proper monitor distance and room lighting to reduce eye strain when working on digital devices. Screens that are too close or dim can cause discomfort and headaches, so try to keep your screen no closer than 20 feet away for best results.
Frequent blinking can help combat dry eyes caused by staring at a computer for extended periods of time. Make it a habit to blink every 30 seconds or so while using your computer.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as abstaining from smoking. Eating the right food can help ward off many diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Sleeping enough each night is another excellent way to promote healthy eyes. Aim for between 7-8 hours of shut-eye each night so you’re refreshed and rejuvenated throughout the day.
Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses or goggles when working in an environment with hazardous chemicals, power tools, or any environment with potentially hazardous airborne particulates. It only takes a moment for a small object to hit your eyes and cause serious harm. Make sure you’re wearing protection when working around hazardous materials!
It is especially essential to wear protective eyewear when playing sports such as racquetball or lacrosse, where the risk of injury is higher than other activities. Furthermore, fireworks should never be used since they can harm your eyes and permanently alter your vision.
If you are a smoker, it’s best to quit as soon as possible in order to reduce the risks of developing cataracts and other eye conditions. Smoking not only damages optic nerves but it causes extreme dryness in your eyes which makes it difficult to see in bright light conditions.
Hydration is key, so make sure to drink eight glasses of water each day. Your body requires this fluid for vital components like nutrition and oxygen delivery to cells. Furthermore, maintaining adequate amounts of liquid helps fight off any infection in the eye that might exist.