You get only one pair of eyes. Don’t take them for granted.
Your eyes are some of the most important senses. Most people rely on them to see, stay safe, and connect with their surroundings.
Finding the right ways of caring for the eyes can reduce the risk of vision loss, eye diseases, and blindness.
So, how do you keep your eyes clear and healthy? There are many eye care tips that can help you maintain optimal eye health. Here, you can learn more about how to take care of your eyes, work on your vision, and boost your overall quality of life.
How to Take Care of Eyes Daily
Roughly 250 million people around the world suffer from some level of vision loss. Some of the leading causes include eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract.
The eye is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, infections, injuries, and eye strain. Some eye problems can cause discomfort or eye pain.
When you implement daily eye care, you give the eyes some basic amount of protection. You can equip them with the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to fight back against eye disease. You can also notice any changes in vision early on and get the necessary treatment.
These tips for eye care can help.
- Fill Your Plate With Healthy Foods
Diet is a significant lifestyle factor that can have a long-term effect on eye health. Your diet should be well-balanced and include plenty of veggies, fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Many studies indicate that zeaxanthin and lutein are key components of ocular health. These carotenoid pigments can be found in foods like carrots, corn, pasta, cantaloupe, yellow or orange peppers, eggs, salmon, and fish.
The Mediterranean diet can be a good example. Controlled trials show that sticking to a Mediterranean-type diet was linked with reduced odds of progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eating fish had a great influence on protecting the eyes.
2. Use the 20/20/20 Rule
Many computer users spend hours glued to the screen. Adjusting the amount of time you look away can be good for the eyes.
Experts suggest you use the 20/20/20 rule. Here is how it works: For every 20 min spent working at the screen, you should look at something else that is 20 feet away from you, for 20 seconds. This gives the eyes a quick break and can reduce eye strain.
3. Clean the Glasses or Sterilize the Contact Lenses
You constantly touch the glasses when you adjust them, put them on, or take them off. So, your hands pick up bacteria that you can transfer from the environment to your glasses and into the eyes.
Studies found that 95% of the frames from sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses tested contained high levels of bacteria. The longer they are left, the more they can irritate, scratch, or infect the eyes.
To prevent bacteria, dirt build-up, and smudges, wash the glasses every morning.
Contact lenses can also collect debris and germs. Disinfect the lenses each time you take them out. This helps you prevent eye infections or other serious eye complications.
4. Book Regular Eye Exams
Some of the most fundamental tips to prevent vision loss is to get the eyes checked regularly. Eye specialists can spot any eye diseases, infections, eye damage, or macular degeneration early on. This helps you prevent serious eye complications.
Patients use routine eye exams to receive treatment for an eye disease or monitor their condition. Doctors can also offer some practical advice about eye care and reducing the incidence of eye injury and eye disease.
If you are wearing contact lenses or glasses, visit the eye doctor every 1 to 2 years.
For those who don’t have any vision problems or symptoms, experts often suggest getting an eye exam based on your age:
– Ages 20 – 39: Every 5 years
– Ages 40 – 54: Every 2 to 4 years
– Ages 55 – 64: Every 1 to 3 years
– Ages 65 or over: Every 1 to 2 years
Note: If your family has a medical history of eye diseases, such as cataracts, you may need to get yearly eye exams. Diseases such as these can be inherited. So, it is important to take the necessary precautions and talk to a specialist.
5. Be Physically Active
Exercise is another important aspect of eye care.
Study finds that physical activity could avert or delay eye disease. Exercise can improve the eye’s resilience, which might help protect it against blood vessel problems. This can happen in patients with diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and neovascular glaucoma.
Aerobics is a great way to start. They can reduce the fluid pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure) and protect the retinal ganglion cells. Physical activity can also promote better circulation to the entire body, including the optic nerve and retina.
6. Know Your Risk Factors
Many factors can increase the risk of eye disease. Especially chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Unhealthy habits can also have a role to play, like smoking.
Smokers are often more prone to developing ocular inflammation. They can have severe diseases and higher odds of recurrent diseases compared to non-smokers.
To care for the eyes the right way, manage your medical problem as best as you can, and avoid smoking.
If you need help quitting smoking or controlling your health condition, talk to a healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Treating the eyes with care should be a top priority. Unfortunately, most people don’t pay attention to their eyes and mistreat them. To work on your vision and ocular health, the eye care tips listed here can help. Start with eating a well-balanced diet packed with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
If you work on a computer, use the 20/20/20 rule. To decrease the odds of infections and bacteria, sterilize the contact lenses or clean the glasses daily. Regardless if you have any symptoms or not, book regular eye exams. Know your body inside and out, and stay in shape with physical activity.
Your eyes will thank you for it.