How to keep your eyes Healthy: 6 things that you need to know

Nowadays, there are plenty of treatments available to those with poor vision, from prescription glasses to laser eye surgery. However, naturally, you’ll want to keep your peepers in good shape for as long as possible. That means you need to pay attention to how much time you spend staring at a screen, what you eat and your lifestyle. So, what do you need to know about keeping eyes healthy?

The easiest way to find out the steps you can take to protect your eyes is to visit an optician or eye specialist who can assess your current eye health, diagnose any problems and recommend the most suitable remedies. In the meantime, keep these tips in mind to protect your vision.

Improve your diet

What you eat can have a dramatic effect on your eye health. Nutrients including lutein, vitamin C, omega-3 and zinc can all help stave off the effects of age-related eye problems, such as eye floaters. To make sure you get enough of those essential nutrients, include a lot of green leafy vegetables and oily fish into your diet. Eggs, beans and nuts can also work wonders for your eyes, as can citrus fruits such as oranges.

Give up smoking

Smoking can cause damage to your optic nerves and increase your chances of getting cataracts. You may not commonly associate smoking with eye health, but quitting is one of the best ways to keep your eyes healthy. If you’ve already tried and failed, try again. Visit a doctor for advice on quitting.

Wear sunglasses

Too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to problems including cataracts and macular degeneration. So, when you’re outside enjoying the fresh air, don’t forget about keeping eyes healthy – make sure you remember to wear a pair of shades that blocks 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Your peepers will thank you for it in the long run.

Use safety eyewear

Always wear protective goggles or safety glasses when working with hazardous substances or items of equipment. Many eye injuries are sustained by people who play sports like ice hockey, lacrosse and racquetball, making it essential to shield your eyes for the sake of your vision. Don’t rely on standard prescription glasses or contact lenses to protect your eyes in such situations.

Avoid staring at your screen for too long

Stare at your computer screen for too long, and you may experience eye strain, blurry vision, headaches, trouble focusing and even neck, back and shoulder pain. Try to rest your eyes for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes, and take a 15-minute break from the screen every two hours. If required, use a protective screen to prevent glare, and make sure your eyes are always level with the top of your monitor.

Visit an eye doctor

Everybody, regardless of age, should undergo an eye exam regularly for the sake of keeping eyes healthy for as long as possible. You might think your eyes are perfectly healthy, but some issues are difficult to notice, such as glaucoma. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat. Don’t put off an eye exam just because you assume there’s nothing wrong with your eye health. Even young children should visit an ophthalmologist or an optometrist at least once a year.

Are you worried about your eye health? Would you like more tips on keeping eyes healthy? Our highly experienced specialists can diagnose and treat just about any problem, and you can trust us for honest advice. Give us a call today, and we’ll let you know how we can help you.