Vision health is something that many of us take for granted. Unfortunately, without proper attention and care, your eye health can deteriorate, especially in later life. With these eye health tips you can enjoy healthy eyes for life.
Get regular eye tests
A healthy adult needs to have an eye test once every two years or so. Children need more frequent eye tests, as their vision may change rapidly. A child’s eyes should be tested at least once a year. The same is true of seniors.
Regular eye tests aren’t just necessary to keep your spectacle prescription up to date — they’re vital for catching eye problems early on. Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, can be treated much more effectively if they’re identified in the early stages. If you are diagnosed with one of these conditions, you may need medication or other interventions to save your sight.
Eat a balanced diet
You can’t have good eye health without proper nutrition. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, add some oily fish to your diet, and snack on seeds or tree nuts instead of candy. Most people in the developed world can get enough nutrients from a balanced diet; however, older people and those with digestive issues may benefit from supplementation.
Stay properly hydrated
You can’t hope to maintain good eye health if you routinely allow yourself to become dehydrated. For this reason and for general good health, everyone should consume three or four pints of liquid per day. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to be in the form of plain water. Vegetables and fruits contain lots of fluid, and including them in your diet will help you stay on top of both nutrition and hydration. You can drink flavored water, infusions, and other beverages as well. Even tea and coffee can help with hydration. While caffeine is a diuretic, you will gain enough fluid from drinking caffeinated beverages to offset it. Staying hydrated is one of the best tips for dry eyes. While eye-drops can help a little, they won’t be as beneficial for dry eyes as proper hydration. Dry eyes aren’t just uncomfortable; dryness can also leave you more vulnerable to pinkeye and other infections.
Rest your eyes while working
If you spend a lot of time reading, looking at a computer screen or doing close work, you should take a moment or two every 20 minutes to rest your eyes. Look away from what you’re doing at a distant object for 20 seconds to change your focus and give your eyes a break. Perform eye-focused exercises to help prevent eye-strain, especially if your job requires you to use a computer screen. Ensure that text is large enough to read comfortably at a reasonable distance and consider computer spectacles if you experience frequent eye discomfort while working.
Wear sunglasses
If you’re spending any amount of time outdoors, especially in strong sunlight, wear good-quality sunglasses. If you’re thinking of ways to keep eyes healthy in the long term, the effect of ultraviolet light on your eyes should be a significant consideration. Avoid glasses with a tint but no UV protection and look for a pair that protects from UVA and UVB radiation.
Stop smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your health. It affects every system in your body, including your eyes. Smoking raises your risk of several eye disorders. As well as cigarettes, you should also avoid other tobacco products, including snuff and chewing tobacco. Nicotine-containing products like e-cigarettes, patches, and gum should only be used as a temporary measure while you give up smoking.
If you notice changes in your vision, talk to a medical professional about them. Your optometrist and your regular healthcare provider can advise you on how to keep your eyes healthy and vision tips to help avoid eye-strain and similar problems.
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