Simple tips for healthy eyes
Your eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are looking your best. Follow these simple steps to keep your eyes healthy during your golden years.
Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
You may think your vision is fine or your eyes are healthy, but the only way to be sure is to visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. When it comes to common vision problems, some people don’t know that they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. Additionally, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs. The only way to detect these diseases in their early stages is with a dilated eye exam.
During the comprehensive dilated eye exam, your eye doctor will put drops in your eyes to dilate, or enlarge, the pupil and allow more light to enter the eye in the same way that an open door allows more. light in a dark room. This allows the eye doctor to look at the back of the eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease. Your eye doctor is the only person who can determine if your eyes are healthy and if you are seeing your best.
Know your family history of eye health.
Talk to your family members about your history of eye health. It is important to know if someone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition as many are hereditary. This can help you determine if you are at increased risk for developing an eye disease or condition.
Eat right to protect your eyesight.
You have heard that carrots are good for your eyes. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens like spinach, cabbage, and kale, is also important for keeping your eyes healthy. 1 Research has also shown that there are eye health benefits to eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and halibut.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
Wear protective eyewear.
Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the house. Eye protection equipment includes safety glasses and goggles, face shields and eye shields specially designed to provide adequate protection for each activity. Most eye protection lenses are made of polycarbonate which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye health providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sports equipment stores.
Stop or don’t start smoking.
Smoking is bad for your eyes as well as the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage. All of these can cause blindness. 2.3
Get fashionable and wear your sunglasses.
Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory but their most important function is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When shopping for sunglasses look for ones that block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Let your eyes rest.
If you spend a lot of time at the computer or staring at one thing, sometimes you forget to blink and your eyes can get tired. Try using the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. This can help reduce fatigue in your eyes.
Wash your hands and your contact lenses properly.
To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands well before putting on or taking off your contact lenses. Be sure to disinfect contact lenses according to instructions and replace as appropriate.
Protect your eyes at your workplace.
Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. If eye protection equipment is required as part of your job, develop the habit of wearing the proper equipment at all times and encourage your co-workers to do the same.
