12 Things You Can Do to Improve Eye Health

Protect Your Vision with These Tips

Our sight is one of the senses we rely on to help us navigate and make sense of the world around us. Healthy vision and eyes are important no matter your age, but many of us take our eyes for granted until something happens to our vision. This means it’s important to protect your eyes and preserve your vision.?

Let’s dive into 12 tips to help you take care of your eyes.?

1 | Eat Right

Eating a well-balanced diet is important for your entire body, including your eyes. Your eyes need specific vitamins and minerals to help them stay healthy. So load up on plenty of fruits and veggies (leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots, kiwi, citrus fruits), as well as omega-3 fatty fishes (like salmon, tuna, and halibut) and nuts (like flaxseed and walnuts).?

2 | Exercise

Exercise helps us maintain a healthy weight, which is good for our overall health. Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems, like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.?

3 | Get a Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep can help your eyes feel bright and refreshed in the morning. On the other hand, a lack of sleep and fatigue can lead to your eyes becoming sore, irritated, red, puffy, and bloodshot.?

4 | Visit Your Eye Doctor

The best preventative measure is having a routine eye exam. If you do have a problem with your eyes, your eye doctor will be able to catch it in the earlier stages, when it is easier to treat, helping you maintain greater eye health and vision. If you notice any changes in your vision, eye strain, or pain, be sure to speak with your eye doctor right away.

5 | Wear Your Glasses

If you need readers or prescription glasses, be sure to wear them. Going without them can mean straining your eyes. Doing this long term can deteriorate your vision further. Make sure that your glasses are clean and free of smudges and store them in a protective case when you aren’t wearing them.

6 | Avoid Infections

Make sure that you always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes or before putting in contact lenses. If you do end up with an infection or other eye irritation (like pink eye or styes), see a doctor to receive medication and instructions on how to clear up the infection.

7 | Wear Protective Eyewear

If you play sports or work a job that could pose danger to your eyes, it’s important to wear the right protective eyewear. Sports glasses and protective lab or utility glasses can help keep your eyes from injury.?

8 | Wear Sunglasses

The sun’s UV rays can cause damage, not just to your skin, but to your eyes too. Wear sunglasses whenever you are outside (even in the winter or on cloudy days). Be sure to select sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation. Even with sunglasses on, remember you should never look directly at the sun.?

9 | Give Your Eyes a Break!

If you spend a lot of time looking at a device or computer screen, it can tire your eyes out. Give them a rest by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes look about 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.?

10 | Stop Smoking

Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness. So if you aren’t a smoker, don’t pick up the habit. And if you are a smoker, talk to your doctor and make a plan to quit. Your entire body and health will be better for it!?

11 | Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking too much alcohol interferes with your liver functions, reducing the levels of an antioxidant that can help protect against common eye diseases. Excessive consumption can lead to rapid eye movement, double vision, and even potential blindness. In the short term, intoxication can lead to blurred vision, abnormal eye movement, and sensitivity to light.

12 | Know Your Family History

It’s important to know your family history when it comes to eye health. Some eye conditions can be genetic or are more prevalent in certain ethnicities, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Be sure that your doctor and eye doctor know about your family history.??

Final Thoughts

Protecting your eyes is important! Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all part of a healthy lifestyle that can help protect your eye health and vision. Wearing the right glasses and sunglasses can also protect your eyes. Finally, it is important to get regular eye exams and to know your family history to help prevent or catch eye diseases early.