7 Practical Ways to Take Better Care of Your Eyes

The world opens up as soon as we wake up in the morning. It is with our eyes that we get to function and move around every waking day. Through them, we are able to see the beauty of nature and enjoy life’s wonder. Despite this, it’s natural to take our vision for granted. But our eyes need love and attention. And this is a good reminder for all of us. This article shares practical ways of taking care of your eyes throughout the years ahead. Read on to learn more.

Out and About Taking Care of Your Eyes

If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you probably do not give much thought to your eye health. On the contrary, this time of your life is when it’s vital to take steps to maintain good eye health.

According to a new analysis published in The Lancet, an estimated 895 million individuals worldwide may acquire eye diseases by 2050. This represents a 150% growth over the next 30 years.

There are many ways you can practice taking care of your eyes and the vision you already have:

Have your annual comprehensive eye examinations

A thorough eye examination can reveal so much about the health of your eyes. An optometrist or an ophthalmologist can evaluate your eyes through a series of tests.

Among these involve visual acuity (sharpness), depth perception, eye alignment, eye structure, and eye movement assessments.

Regardless of age, it is critical to see your eye doctor if you observe any of the following symptoms:

• Reduced vision
• Eye redness 
• Double vision
• Eye discharge
• Floaters (tiny specks that seem to appear before your eyes)
• Eye pain
• Blind spots (halos or circles around lights)
• Flashes of light

Get to know more about your family history

Heredity can have a significant influence on the development of an eye condition. Genetic factors play a role in glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. Thus, it is essential that you have a good understanding of which of these run in your family. 

Moreover, you can discuss with your doctor what are appropriate preventive measures you can follow through to reduce the risk. 

Avoid smoking

As we all know, smoking does not lead to any good. It increases the likelihood of developing age-related eye disorders such as macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as causing optic nerve damage.

Follow a healthy diet

Taking care of your body also means taking care of your eyes even without the eye disorders in the equation. 

A lack of vitamins can impair your eyesight by raising your chances of developing eye problems.

So, look for meals rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Adding dark leafy greens like spinach and kale to your menu can provide you with the eye vitamins you need. Munching on nuts or fortified cereals can also boost your antioxidant intake. 

Furthermore, you may incorporate meals high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.

Exercise regularly

Taking some time to exercise on a regular basis can help you avoid a variety of health problems throughout your life.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are two common conditions that can cause vision problems.

Wear your sunglasses or any eye protection

Sunlight can harm your eyes and increase your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that block harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Also, wear your eye protection when participating in certain sports, working in jobs such as factory work and construction, and performing home repairs or projects to avoid eye injuries.

Practice the 20-20-20 rule

Spending too much time in front of a screen can lead to eye strain. Try to look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds after 20 minutes of computer work.

Key Takeaways

Your eyes are windows to the soul. But they can also be pathways to help support your overall wellbeing. And so you need them to be at their optimal state for you to fully enjoy the beauty of life.

Taking care of your eyes does not end with getting yourself prescription glasses, contact lenses, or even Lasik surgery.  Do not wait for any eye disease to better appreciate your eyes and what it has to offer for you throughout your life. Talk to your eye doctor today.

Learn more about eye health here.