Most of us rely on our eyes to carry out everyday tasks. It is one of the most vital aspects of our health, and conditions that threaten our vision can be scary. For this reason, we cannot overemphasize the need to take optimal care of our eyesight.
In this article, we will share simple ways that can increase the chances of optimal eye health.
Let’s dive into details.
Know Your Family Medical History
It is vital that you take steps to know your family’s medical history. It is not always that you will inherit some of these medical problems, but knowing when you are at risk helps you take preventive care.
For instance, brown spots on the eyes, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and night blindness are attributed to hereditary factors.
So, when you know that your family has a history of any vision problems, you will take a proactive approach to minimizing its risks of developing. For instance, you can lead a healthier lifestyle and undertake regular eye check-ups, which lead me to the next point.
Take Regular Eye Tests
Taking regular eye examinations is an excellent way to ensure your eyes are in proper health. If you have no underlying vision problems, experts recommend taking eye exams once every two years. However, if you are at risk of developing eyesight problems, eye tests should be more regular – preferably a couple of times a year.
The beauty of regular eye exams is that it significantly minimizes the damages certain eye problems might cause. Considering that eye experts claim that half of all sight loss cases can be prevented, seeing a doctor for routine checkups is an excellent step to optimal eye health.
Furthermore, ophthalmologists can catch cataracts, glaucoma and other dangerous eye conditions that can result in blindness. Besides, if for instance brown spots suddenly appear on your eyes, a doctor can recommend a fluorescein eye stain test to access the situation and determine whether there are any abnormalities in the eye.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Achieving great eyesight also has a lot to do with the food on your plate.
Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, for instance, are good nutrients that promote better eyesight and minimize the risk of age-related vision problems. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in tuna, salmon, sardines, and other types of fish.
Peanuts, walnuts, and cashews, on the other hand, are packed with Vitamin E. Chia, flax, and hemp seeds are other nourishing options that contain both Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E.
That’s not all.
You also need to eat plenty of fruits that contain Vitamin C, and leafy greens that contain lutein and zeaxanthin which are also vital for your eye health.
Last but not least, eat a lot of carrots as they contain Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that helps the retina absorb light.
Wear Sunglasses
The sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays can accelerate the occurrence of cataracts. It can also cause age-related macular degeneration. So, wearing sunglasses that block the sun’s rays is a great idea, especially during summer when the scorching sun burns a little hotter.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Lack of physical activity and wrong dietary choices have been known to cause unnecessary weight gain.
Being overweight or obese carries the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure that might trigger vision problems such as diabetic retinopathy. Also, there is a likelihood of developing glaucoma, another eye condition that can cause blindness.
As such, you need to be more mindful of the foods you eat. Minimize the intake of sugar, junk food, and other unhealthy foods. Engaging in regular exercises, at least three times a week, is also a great way to check your weight and prevent you from packing extra pounds that can wreak havoc on your health.
Wear Protective Eyewear
Employees suffering eye injuries in their line of work is not unheard of. In fact, the United States Department of Labor reports that these eye injuries occur due to inadequate eye protection.
Various independent bodies are keen on reinforcing the use of quality personal protective equipment in the workplace – and for good reasons.
If you work in a manufacturing company or factory, wearing protective glasses is of paramount importance. The same applies when undertaking a renovation or construction project at home.
Safety eyewear prevents tiny particles from entering the eye. The same applies to sparks, flames, and chemical splashes.
Know Contact Lenses Best Practices
Contact lenses can be a great solution for people with refractive eye problems. However, they might do more harm than good if you fail to observe contact lenses best practices.
So, you need to avoid rubbing your eyes while you wear contact lenses, for starters. Doing so puts you at risk of damaging your cornea. You should also ensure that you clean your hands properly when handling contacts. Your hands are constantly touching germs, and you risk developing eye infections.
Additionally, you must never sleep with your contacts on as you might develop dry eyes. It’s also always a good idea to give your eyes a break from contact lenses, especially if your eyes often suffer irritations, itchiness and redness. If you are having a long day, you can switch between contact lenses and glasses to allow your eyes time to rest – which brings us to our last point.
Allow Your Eyes to Rest
If you are continuously working or playing games on your computer, it is imperative that you allow your eyes time to rest. Step away from the computer every once in a while or look away from the screen every 20 minutes, staring 20 yards away for not less than 20 seconds.
Also, make sure you are regularly blinking as it allows fresh tears onto the surface of the eye, preventing it from running dry. It is also a great way to clean out your eyes.
Conclusion
Sight is one of the five human body senses, and a vital component of the success of everyday life. As such, maintaining proper eye health is paramount. Incorporate these eight tips into your life today, and you notably increase your chances of enjoying great eyesight for a lifetime.
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