5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Your eyes provide a valuable service and should not be taken for granted, but the reality is that while we pay close attention to our heart, liver and other organs we do not know enough about keeping our eyes healthy. Keep your peepers in perfect health by following these simple tips to ensure they’re safe and well protected from any potential threats!
Protect Your Eyes from Harsh Sunlight
Research has shown that regular exposure of your eyes to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase the likelihood of developing cataracts and can even result in macular degeneration. Keep your eyes protected from these harsh rays by avoiding going out in the afternoon when the sun is usually at its highest point and invest in a pair of high quality, polarised sunglasses from a recognized brand - stay well away from fake sunglass brands as they will certainly cause more damage than good to your eyes.
When purchasing sunglasses it is important to choose a frame style and shape that is versatile and comfortable, but it is critical that you choose a pair that effectively blocks the majority of UVA and UVB rays. With this in mind, wraparound sunglass frames are a popular choice for those who have excessive sun exposure such as those playing sports regularly as they protect your eyes from the side too.
If you have had your eyes tested and you wear glasses, make sure to have prescription lenses fitted on your sunglasses as well - a simple step that can be carried out by all major eye-wear providers.
Take Regular Screen Breaks
While there is no concrete evidence that links screen time to eye damage, excessive amounts of screen time can certainly cause a number of uncomfortable eye-related symptoms such as dry eyes, blurred vision, redness, burning sensation and much more.
Taking regular breaks where you either close your eyes for a quick minute or focus on another object away from your computer screen will do a world of good. If you’re having trouble remembering to do this, setting a phone alarm is a simple, but effective way to ensure you stick to it.
Apart from this, avoid straining your eyes too much by making sure your computer screen is at eye level, that the screen is well-cleaned and that there is no glare from close by windows or lights (an anti-glare screen can be used if glare is a part of your environment) - these may sound straightforward, but they can all lead to eye strain if not avoided. Also, invest in a good pair of computer glasses to keep your eyes protected - your eyes deserve some TLC!
Wear Safety Eye-Wear When Required
Protective eye-wear is a must if you work in construction, metalwork, with chemicals or any other environment that exposes you to substances that can be hazardous to your eyes and should not be taken lightly.
When participating in outdoor activities like fishing or sailing, you will also need to pay special attention to your eyes as the glare from the water can cause a lot of strain on your eyes too and can be damaging over time.
Eat a Vitamin C and Omega-3 Rich Diet
While we’ve had our mothers tell us to eat carrots for healthy eyes, there’s actually more to it! Certain nutrients are crucial for improving your eye health and for instance eating leafy vegetables like spinach is proven to reduce your chances of developing age-related macular degeneration. Eating fatty fish that’s rich in omega-3, as well as citrus fruits rich in vitamin C like oranges or grapefruits are also believed to improve eye function significantly.
Get Regular Eye Checkups
Regular eye exams should be carried out by a professional to ensure your eyes are in good health. Apart from regular vision tests carried out by an optometrist, it’s important to also have an eye pressure and optic nerve test done to check for glaucoma which usually has no symptoms. Depending on the health of your eyes, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may also want to conduct an external and microscopic examination of your eyes before and after dilation to make certain that everything is as it should be.
In summary, it’s important to avoid taking your eyesight lightly and instead you should aim to keep your eyes well protected at all times to avoid damage that impacts your eyesight and keep your eyes functioning at their best!
