Your eyes are a crucial part of your health. You rely on your eyes to see the world around you and interact with it. Eye diseases and conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness. Thus, you need to take good care of your eyes and keep them healthy.
Here are ten tips for keeping your eyes healthy:
You should get a comprehensive eye exam every one or two years. It is the best thing you can do for your eye health. When your doctor catches a problem early, they can prescribe treatment. Early treatment will prevent vision loss and blindness.
The eyes are not only the windows to your soul but also the rest of your physical body. As the doctor examines your eyes, they will also be able to catch a slew of diseases that could affect the overall health of your body. Diseases like diabetes affect your blood vessels. Your doctor will diagnose it by checking the blood vessels in your eyes.
Take plenty of green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and collard greens. These vegetables are rich in vitamin A, C, and E. The plant-based form of vitamin A lowers your risk of age-related eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Fish such as tuna and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are also good for your eyes.
When you are not physically active, you risk getting health conditions. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. They can cause problems with your eye health and result in vision loss. Staying physically active will lower your risk of getting glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.
Often, we protect our skin from sun exposure and forget our eyes. Protecting your eyes from sun exposure will prevent the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block out at least 99 percent UVA and UVB radiation.
Smoking increases your risk of developing age-related eye diseases. It contributes to health problems that may also affect your vision. Studies show that smokers are three to four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration.
When working on your computer, remember to blink and exercise your eyes. Exercise your eyes by taking a break for 20 minutes and looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Protect your eyes when playing sports, doing construction work, or doing home repairs. Wear protective goggles or safety glasses to shield your eyes from injury.
Knowing your family’s eye health history will help you stay on top of any conditions that may occur. Some diseases like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration run in families. But if you get regular comprehensive eye exams, the doctor can diagnose them early and prescribe treatment.
Wash your hands well before wearing or removing your contacts. Ensure you also clean and store them properly. Be sure to disinfect your contacts and replace them regularly.
Educate yourself on the risk factors that cause vision loss and blindness as you grow older. It will help you change some habits that could put you at risk.
For more tips on keeping your eyes healthy, contact Special Eye Care at our office in Camp Springs, Maryland. You can call (301) 298-3241 to book an appointment today.