How to Take Care of Your Eyes

Eye health is important. Do not take your eyes for granted. We rely on our eyes to see everything around us. If you are experiencing vision problems, take note of the following tips. In this article, we will discuss how to take care of your eyes.

How to Take Care of Your Eyes

1. Eat Well

The food that you eat can have an impact on your eye health. Nutrients like lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E might help ward off age related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. To get these nutrients, fill your plate with:

• Green leafy vegetables (spinach, collards, and kale)
• Tuna, salmon, and other oily fish
• Nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources
• Oranges and other citrus fruits

Besides promoting eye health, a well-balanced diet can also help you stay at a healthy weight. That can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Specialized nutritional supplements may also help keep your eyes healthy. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are popular supplements for eye health. You can buy a very good Lutein and Zeaxanthin supplement here.

2. Avoid/Quit Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, damage to the optic nerve, and macular degeneration, among other medical problems. It’s best to avoid smoking completely. If you’re a smoker and have tried to kick the habit before but failed, don’t give up. Ask your doctor for help.

3. Wear Sunglasses

The right pair of sunglasses can help protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much exposure to UV rays increases your chances of having cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose sunglasses that block 99% – 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Meanwhile, polarized lenses reduce glare while you are driving. If you wear contact lenses, some can offer UV protection. Still, it’s a good idea to wear sunglasses for added protection.

4. Use Safety Eyewear

If you are exposed to airborne or hazardous materials at home or on the job, wear safety glasses or protective goggles.

Also, playing sports like ice hockey, lacrosse, and racquetball can cause eye injury. Wear eye protection. For example, sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses or helmets with protective face masks help protect your eyes.

5. Look Away From the Computer Screen

Staring at a computer screen or phone screen for too long may cause:

• Blurry vision
• Eyestrain
• Dry eyes
• Trouble focusing at a distance
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain
• Headaches

To protect your eyes:

• Make sure your glasses/contacts prescription is up-to-date and suitable for looking at a computer screen.

• Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the computer monitor. That lets you look down slightly at the screen.

• Avoid glare from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.

• Choose a comfortable chair.

• If your eyes are dry, blink more.

• Rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Then, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If possible, get up every 2 hours and take a 15-minute break.

• If your eye strain won’t go away, consult an eye doctor.

6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Visiting an eye doctor can help protect your eyesight from disorders or diseases. For example, eye exams can detect glaucoma. It is important to spot such conditions early on when they are easier to treat.

There are two types of eye doctors that you can consult depending on your needs:

• Optometrists, meanwhile, provide general eye care and vision correction services (prescription glasses and contact lenses). However, they don’t do eye surgery.

• Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in eye care. They provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and can also perform eye surgery.

A comprehensive eye exam might include:

• Talking about your medical history,
• Vision tests to see if you’re nearsighted, farsighted, have astigmatism or presbyopia,
• Optic nerve tests and eye pressure tests to check for glaucoma,
• Tests to see how well the eyes work together,
• External and microscopic examination of the eyes before and after dilation, and
• Other tests as needed.

Conclusion

How to take care of your eyes means eating well, wearing eye protection, and consulting your eye doctor. Some eye diseases can lead to vision loss, so it’s important to identify and treat them as early as possible. Get your eyes checked if you experience vision problems or as often as your doctor recommends it.

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