Top Tips for Healthy Eyes
There are many things you can do to keep our eyes healthy!
Here are some TOP TIPS for healthy eyesight and making sure you’re seeing your best well into your golden years!
Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly
While it’s not a surprise that overall good health will help your body in a variety of ways, there are actually specific foods you can eat to boost your eye health. Green leafy vegetables, fish, citrus fruits, and eggs all contain large amounts of the vitamins and minerals your eyes need to stay healthy. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E can even help to keep cataracts and macular degeneration at bay. Couple a balanced diet with regular exercise to keep your blood circulating, allowing your eyes to receive oxygen and flush themselves of toxins.
Wear sunglasses
This type of eyewear isn’t just intended to make a fashion statement, as UV exposure can be one of the most damaging things our eyes ever encounter. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause cataracts or even skin cancer in the delicate area right around our eyes, so wearing full coverage sunglasses at all times is key. If you’re spending time in a very sunny part of the world, the combination of sunglasses and a hat can’t be beaten.
Lose the cigarettes
In addition to damaging many other parts of your body, cigarette smoking can have a negative effect on your eyes. This habit increases the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, two conditions that will impair your vision if left untreated, and can also cause permanent damage to your optic nerve. Quitting smoking will bring a wealth of benefits to your life, so now’s the time to put down the cigarettes for good.
Take breaks from the screen
If you consider how many hours you spend per day on a digital device, between work and personal use, the number might surprise you! What’s even more shocking is that these screens emit blue light, a specific wavelength that can cause damage to the eyes and create a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Experts recommend following the 20/20/20 rule if you’re going to be on the computer for long periods of time - every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Schedule an eye exam
Perhaps one of the most important tips to consider is that getting a comprehensive eye exam once per year is essential to maintaining healthy vision for years to come. An eye exam can help to uncover any diseases or disorders present not only within your eyes but potentially ones that affect the rest of your body as well. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals.
