5 Tips for Healthy Eyes
Healthy eyes and healthy vision are both essential to your quality of life. Without them, we could literally be left in the dark, which is why it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep them healthy. Here are five of my favorite tips.
You are what you eat
We’ve all heard the phrase before, but it’s one of those cliches that’s very, very true. If we eat a lot of junk food, we tend to feel like … well, junk. The same applies to how food can affect your eyes. I’ve discussed healthy eating tips in a past post, but it’s worth reiterating. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like eggs and fish, is a great way to start. But it’s also important to eat a lot of leafy greens as well as fruits and vegetables. The better and healthier your diet, the healthier your eyes will be.
Quit smoking
Kicking the habit is one of the best ways to improve your eye’s health. Smoking can increase the risk of cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration. Quitting smoking is a hard thing to do. If you can’t do it on your own, don’t worry, there are support groups and medication to help you get through the quitting process. The faster you quit, the sooner you stop damaging your eyes.
Keep your sunglasses handy
One of the most common mistakes people make is only wearing their sunglasses when it’s bright and sunny out. I recommend that you wear them during most daylight hours, unless it’s very cloudy. A lot more sun makes it through the clouds than you might think.
It’s also important that you choose to wear a good pair of sunglasses. Sure, your “Terminator” shades might look cool, but unless they’re protecting you against both UVA and UVB rays, they’re not doing much else.
Don’t stare at your computer too long
Anyone who works in an office can tell you that staring at a computer screen for too long leads to eyestrain, which isn’t fun. It can result in fatigue and cause your eyes to work harder than they should. The 20-20-20 method is one of the best way to combat eyestrain while at the office. This is when after 20 minutes of working at the computer, you stare at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This short exercise acts similar to a computer’s reset button. It allows your eyes to refocus and take a short break, making it easier for them to do their job.
Visit your eye doctor
The most important thing you can to do improve the health of your eyes is make annual appointments with your eye doctor. Eye exams are the only way to identify if someone is suffering some certain eye-specific conditions. It’s also a great way to make sure if you already wear corrective lenses, that they are the right prescription. But in between your appointments, make sure to eat well and remember not to stare at your computer for too long.