Do you know that your eyes are an important part of your overall health? Yes, it’s true, because, the eye is probably the most important of your five sense organs. With good eye health you can ensure good vision which helps you perform well – at home, at work, or while driving. Moreover, eye health goes hand-in-hand with general health; therefore, along with getting a regular vision screening – which is very important – there are effective tips that you can follow to make sure you keep your eyesight at its best.
Let’s check out those tips:
- Eat a Balanced Healthy Diet: To maintain eye function, protect your eyes against harmful light, and reduce the development of age-related degenerative diseases, you need certain nutrients in your body. To obtain those nutrients you need to eat a balanced healthy diet that includes food rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A, C and E. Foods like leafy green vegetables and fish – especially fatty fish that contain essential omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon – also help to improve eyesight and prevent any long-term vision problems.
- Quit Smoking: We are well aware of the fact that smoking is dangerous to our health. It has long been known to cause heart disease and lung cancer, but then, what many people are not aware is that smoking can also lead to vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, optic nerve damage, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and Dry Eye Syndrome, all of which can lead to blindness. So, to safeguard your eye health, better stop smoking.
- Use Protective Eyewear: To protect yourself from eye injuries – it is estimated that 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year – wear proper eyewear – where there is the slightest chance of eye injury. That is, whether you’re in the workplace or playing sports, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses to avoid the risk of anything making contact with your eyes.
- Don’t Use Old Makeup: Eye makeup can make your eyes sparkle, but at the same time if you are using your old or expired eye makeup, it can ruin your eye health and make your eyes susceptible to eye infections. To prevent such situations, never use old containers of eye cosmetics – even if you haven’t used the product for several months, it’s better to throw it out and buy a new one. Also, make sure to not share eye or any other cosmetics with others and do not use the store samples. Remember to replace your eye products every 3 months to avoid developing an eye infection. Most importantly, always cleanse your face before and after using makeup.
- Exercise: Physical activity improves blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and helps remove toxins.
- Get a Good night’s Sleep: It is very important to get a good night’s sleep for eye health; in fact, it is beneficial for overall health, well-being, and good quality of life.
- Get Regular Eye Screenings: Everyone needs a regular vision screening, because many people think that their vision is fine and eyes are healthy. But the truth is that, even if your eyes are healthy, getting a dilated eye exam is the only way to detect certain diseases – such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration that often have no warning signs – in their early stages.
- Smart Screen Use: Using devices such as computer or phone screen for too long can cause eye problems such as:
- Blurry vision
- Trouble focusing at a distance
- Dry eyes
Therefore, to avoid such problems, make sure not to sit long hours in front of these devices. If you’re using a digital device for long periods at a stretch, make sure that:
- Your desk has good lighting
- Take regular breaks
- Blink more often
- Use proper eyewear
- Keep your computer screen within 20″-24″ of your eye.
- Keep the top of your computer screen slightly below eye level.
- Use lubricating eyedrops to soothe irritated, dry eyes.
Follow these easy steps to keep your eyes healthy and don’t take your eyes for granted.