It is not surprising to see people adopt healthy habits to keep up with the fast pace of the current lifestyle. While many succeed in implementing healthy changes, they tend to forget about the health of an important organ – the eyes. If you don’t take care of them, they will be susceptible to diseases like cataract, and problems that can affect your vision. Let’s see how you can keep healthy eyes.
Simple measures go a long way in keeping your vision strong. Some of them include:
1. A well-balanced, ‘eye-friendly’ diet
You are what you eat. This extends to your vision too. What you put on your plate does have an impact on your eyes. Having a diet rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, lutein and vitamins C and E will go a long way in keeping away age-related vision problems. Include foods like green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, eggs, nuts, salmon, tuna and other oily fish. Citrus fruits and juices are also recommended.
Having these regularly will keep your eyes healthy. Additionally, don’t forget to have a well-balanced diet to keep your weight in check. Obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes are the leading cause of blindness in adults. In short, have a healthy diet and you will cut down the risk of having vision problems. These foods are highly recommended by doctors during cataract care as well.
2. Say no to smoking
Apart from cancer, smoking is also responsible for affecting your eyes. Smoking damages the optic nerve and speeds macular degeneration. You are more likely to get cataracts as well. If you can’t get through the day without smoking, you might have to get through life without seeing properly if you don’t kick that habit! If you are in the process of quitting, your eyes will thank you. Don’t give up since quitting is way better spending time and money at the hospital for a cataract surgery.
3. Make sunglasses a must-have accessory
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, then make sunglasses your best friend. The sun’s UV rays directly affect your eyes and there is a possibility of you getting cataracts and macular degeneration. Using the right type of sunglasses will protect you from harmful UV rays. It is important that you choose function over design when you buy sunglasses. Select those which block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays effectively. You can even opt for wraparound lenses that protect your eyes from the sides.
Additionally, glare can hurt your eyes – so if you wear glasses, fit them with polarized lenses or anti-glare film. You can get polarized lenses for sunglasses as well. These black Wayfarer sunglasses by Ray-Ban give you the protection you need while also looking great. Eye protection is a must when you wear contact lenses since direct sunlight damages them, which in turn damages your eyes. If you are not a fan of sunglasses, it’s time you welcome them into your life. Investing in a good pair of sunglasses is way better than recovering during cataract care.
4. Using protective eye gear when necessary
If you are a professional sportsman or play recreationally, or work in hazardous conditions that may contain dangerous airborne materials, having safety eyewear is a must. Get yourself protective goggles or safety glasses and use them each time you play or work.
Shielding your eyes in such conditions is extremely crucial since there are high chances of physically hurting your eye. Harmful particulates in the air can damage the eyes significantly. Sports such as ice hockey, lacrosse, squash, etc. come with a high risk of eye injuries. Shield your eyes every single time, no questions asked.
5. Take a break from electronic screens
Unfortunately, these days our personal and professional life compels us to stare at a computer screen, tablet or mobile screen for almost every waking hour. This not only strains the eyes but also causes dry eyes, blurry vision and constant headaches. You might even find it difficult to focus on a distant object. Apart from eyes, even your back, neck, wrists and shoulders will be under a lot of stress and pain.
Since it is unavoidable, it is better to take certain preventive measures in order to keep your eyes safe. Ensure that the prescription of your glasses or contact lenses is up-to-date. The glare or contrast from the screen tends to irritate the eyes a lot, so opt for glasses that protect your eyes from the same. Rest your eyes every few minutes and take a 15-minute break after every two hours. This will give them a much-needed break and avoid the risk of straining them. It is important how you position your computer as well. If your feel that your eyes are getting dry, blink more; if they feel tired, then give them a break and wash them with cold water. Don’t ignore such obvious hints and give your eyes some rest by switching off all the screens for a few hours every day or one day every week.
6. Visit an eye doctor regularly
Getting an eye test is a must, regardless of your age. Visiting your eye doctor regularly will protect your sight, detect various symptoms of cataracts and even find various eye diseases such as glaucoma, which usually has no symptoms. When these diseases are detected early, it gets easier to treat them. Though not all ophthalmologists are surgeons, they have extensive knowledge on eye care and can answer all your questions such as ‘what are cataracts’ or ‘what to expect in a cataract surgery recovery’. Even if you have a 20/20 vision, make sure you regularly visit the eye doctor.
Vision is something that most of us take for granted until the day you can see nothing but darkness. Protect your eyes and take the necessary measures to keep them healthy for a long time. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss watching your favorite things!
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with your friends and family. They may also benefit from these tips for more beautiful and healthy eyes.
Author: Aaron Barriga
Aaron Barriga aspired to become an Eye Doctor when he was younger, but his fantastic knack for understanding people and his outgoing personality led him into the field of Marketing. Working at Insight Vision Centre as their Online Marketing Manager, he has the best of both worlds. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.
