Our eyes are one of the most important organs in our body, yet they are often overlooked when it comes to health and wellness. It’s only when our vision starts to deteriorate or we experience eye discomfort that we start to pay attention.

However, by taking proactive steps to maintain our eye health, we can prevent many eye problems and even improve our vision.

1. Get Regular Eye Exams

Getting regular eye exams is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your eye health. Eye exams can detect vision problems, eye diseases, and other issues before they become more serious.

It is recommended that adults get a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years. If you have specific risk factors, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent visits.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is not only good for your overall health, it can also benefit your eye health. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, can help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Some examples of these foods include spinach, kale, salmon, nuts, and citrus fruits.

3. Protect Your Eyes From the Sun

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes, leading to problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. To protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays.

Additionally, wear a hat or visor to further protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.

4. Give Your Eyes a Rest

Staring at a computer screen or phone for long periods of time can cause eye strain and fatigue. To prevent these symptoms, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

This can help reduce eye strain and prevent computer vision syndrome.

5. Quit Smoking

Smoking can increase your risk for a number of eye problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Quitting smoking can not only improve your eye health, but also your overall health.

6. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is not only good for your cardiovascular health, it can also benefit your eye health. Exercise can improve blood flow to the eyes and decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking or jogging, on most days of the week.

7. Practice Good Hygiene

Practicing good hygiene can help prevent eye infections and other eye problems. Wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your eyes or applying contact lenses.

Additionally, avoid sharing eye makeup or contact lenses with others to prevent the spread of germs.

8. Manage Chronic Conditions

If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s important to manage them effectively to prevent eye problems.

These conditions can increase your risk for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive retinopathy. Talk to your doctor about effective management strategies.

9. Be Mindful of Your Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses can increase your risk of eye infections and other problems. To prevent these issues, make sure to follow proper contact lens care and cleaning instructions.

Additionally, avoid sleeping in your contact lenses and replace them regularly as recommended by your eye doctor.

10. Know Your Family Eye Health History

Many eye problems and conditions have a genetic component. Knowing your family’s eye health history can help you identify your own risk factors and make informed decisions about your eye health.

If you have a family history of eye problems such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, talk to your eye doctor about early detection and prevention strategies.