Did you know that your eyes are one of the most important organs in your body? Keeping them healthy is crucial to maintain good vision and to prevent eye diseases.
In this article, we will go over some tips to help you take care of your eyes and keep your vision healthy.
Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
Exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes and increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays can help prevent these problems.
Look for sunglasses with UV protection while buying them.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet that includes leafy greens such as spinach and kale, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, citrus fruits, and other foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and zinc can help reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Include these fruits and veggies in your diet for healthy eyes.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water will keep your eyes moisturized. When our body is dehydrated our eyes can get dry and cause irritation, redness, and blurred vision. Ensure you drink enough water to keep your eyes hydrated and healthy.
Blink More Often
Blinking helps to wash your eyes with tears, which moisturize and keep them healthy. If you are staring at a screen or reading for a long period, you may forget to blink.
Therefore, make a conscious effort to blink more often to keep your eyes moisturised and healthy.
Quit Smoking
Smokers have a higher risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Quitting smoking can lower your risk of these diseases. Consult with a medical professional to receive help to quit smoking.
Use the 20-20-20 Rule
If you spend a lot of time staring at a screen, look away every 20 minutes and focus on an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision.
Get Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are important for maintaining good eye health, catching problems early such as glaucoma, cataracts, etc to take necessary actions. Adults should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years.
If you have a family history of eye problems or wear glasses, you may need to have your eyes checked more frequently. Children should have a complete eye exam by an eye doctor at 6 months of age, then at 3 years, and then again at 5 or 6 years. If there are no problems, they should continue to have an eye exam every two years until they reach the age of 18.
After 18 they should be included in the adult group.
Clean Your Hands and Contact Lenses Properly
Dirty hands and contaminated contact lenses can lead to eye infections. Make sure you clean your hands before touching your eyes and follow the instructions from your eye doctor on how to clean and disinfect your contact lenses.
Rest Your Eyes
If your eyes feel tired or strained, take a break and rest your eyes. Close your eyes or try to achieve calmness by meditating. Resting your eyes will give them time to recover from prolonged strain.
Avoid Eye Strain
Eye strain can lead to headaches, blurry vision, and other eye problems. Avoid eye strain by taking frequent breaks when staring at a screen or reading. Adjust the lighting to reduce the glare on your screen.
Conclusion
Your eyes are extremely important and it is imperative to take necessary actions to keep them healthy. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can maintain good eye health and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you encounter any eye-related issues.