Your eyes are your windows to the world; you use them to see and understand your environment, all without the need to really consider what your eyes are doing for you.
Because you don’t have to think about your eyesight to use it, it’s all too easy to take good vision for granted. However, like any part of your health, your eyes require care to stay in peak condition.
Eye disease can lead to vision loss and other health problems, but preventing them and maintaining healthy eyes isn’t as difficult as you might think. To learn a few tips for good eyesight that you can use at any age, just keep reading!
1. Eat an Eye-Healthy Diet
The first step toward keeping eyes healthy is to eat an eye-healthy diet. The food you use to fuel your body makes all the difference in every aspect of your health, including that of your eyes.
For healthy eyes, eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, oily fish and other protein sources, and citrus fruits.
2. Protect Your Eyes From Sunlight
Once you’ve ensured that your eyes are taken care of on the inside, it’s time to move on to the things you can do to protect them from the outside. And the most important of these is protecting your eyes from sunlight.
Though spending time in the sun comes with a wealth of benefits, it also puts you at risk of sun damage to your skin and eyes.
Luckily, all you have to do is wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays – you can soak up the sun all day without worrying about your vision!
3. Take Breaks From Screens
Though screens aren’t necessarily dangerous to your eyes, they do tend to slow down blinking. This causes eyestrain and dry eyes, which can be damaging.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to swear off screens altogether. To prevent eyestrain, simply give your eyes a break now and then.
A good rule of thumb is to follow the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help you remember to blink and give your eyes a rest from the bright light behind your screen.
4. Use Protective Eyewear
Whether your job poses a risk to your eyes, you’re working on a home improvement project, or you just enjoy your Saturday afternoon games of racquetball, it’s essential to use protective eyewear.
Safety glasses, protective goggles, or helmets with face masks will keep your eyes safe from airborne materials. Protective eyewear is sold at eye care providers, hardware stores, and sports goods stores – there’s no excuse not to protect your eyes!
5. Get Regular Eye Exams
Last but not least, if you aren’t already getting regular eye exams, it’s time to start. As with any ailment, the key to preventing serious eye damage is early intervention.
By choosing an optometrist and making regular appointments, you can ensure your eyes are free of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other vision and eye problems. The length of time between appointments will depend on your age and vision needs, but you should never wait longer than five years between visits.
Maintain Great Eyesight With These Tips
Your eyesight is precious – once your vision is damaged, there’s little that can be done to bring them back to perfect health. With that in mind, it’s crucial to care for your eyes using these healthy eye tips.
With a nutritious diet, eye protection, and regular trips to your optometrist, you can keep your eyes in top shape and protect your vision.
If you’re interested in learning more ways to maintain optimal health, take a look at our blog! From diet to fitness to dental care, we have all the information you need to look and feel your best.
