Your eye health can be improved in many ways, and the following 12 tips are a great place to start.
Wear sunglasses that block UV rays when you’re outside for long periods of time
Get regular eye exams from an optometrist or ophthalmologist
Use good lighting at home and work so your eyes don’t strain too much
Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist
Eat a diet that includes essential vitamins and minerals for eye health, such as Vitamin A, C, E, zinc. Omega-three fatty acids are also important in maintaining healthy eye structures
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption; it can damage the retina of the eye and cause vision loss
Quit smoking cigarettes as soon as possible; smoke contains chemicals which can harm the optic nerve over time causing blindness
Avoid second hand smoke from others around you because this ill decrease your risk of cataracts by up to 50% if done consistently over an extended period of time
Prevent dry eye syndrome by using humidifiers at home during cold months when indoor air is very dry
Keep your eyes well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
Avoid eye strain and fatigue from prolonged computer usage, which can lead to eye problems later in life. When you use the computer for more than an hour without a break, take a five minute break every half hour or so to reduce eyestrain and keep your eyes moist
Get regular eye exams as recommended by your doctor because this will help catch developing diseases early on before they become worse. This is important especially when there are symptoms like redness around the eye or itchy eyelids that do not seem to go away easily; these could be signs of various health conditions such as pink eye, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), corneal ulcers, and dry eye
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the pressure on your eyes. A recent study published in the journal Ophthalmology showed people who are overweight have an increased risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and other eye disease
Wear sunglasses that offer UV protection for outdoor activities or going out at night so that you don’t strain your eyes from exposure to sunlight
Use computer glasses when using computers indoors as this is important because prolonged use can lead to eye problems later in life such as myopia (nearsightedness), which is increasing among children due largely to more time spent looking closely at screens rather than reading books.
If you are wondering how to tell if you need glasses, check for the signs like difficulty in reading small prints, headache etc.
Keep your bedroom dark during sleep and when not in use. This will keep your eyes from being exposed to light, which can cause eye strain and lead to other issues
Reduce screen time for children as they are more susceptible because their eyeballs are still developing
Exercise regularly by doing activities that increase blood flow such as yoga or cardio workouts, this will prevent dry eye syndrome caused by high blood pressure and poor circulation
Be cautious of the type of contact lenses you wear so that you don’t introduce harmful bacteria into your eyes
Drink plenty of water daily; up to eight glasses a day is recommended. Hydration helps maintain healthy eye tissues and reduces the risk of getting dry eye syndrome due to dehydration or clogged tear ducs
Use a humidifier. Dry air is the leading cause of eye dryness and can lead to eye infections
Wear sunglasses when outdoors in order to protect your eyes from UV radiation; make sure they have 100% UVA/UVB protection made with high quality polycarbonate lenses that block both types of light, as well as blue light which has been shown to be harmful for developing eyeballs
Be mindful of glare on computer screens or other digital devices. This includes avoiding looking at an LCD screen right after it’s turned off or dimming the brightness if there are no changes happening so you don’t strain your eyes while working on them
Avoid staying up late, sleeping less than eight hours a night, or sleeping in on the weekends. These habits can lead to eye strain
Get your eyes checked regularly with an optometrist or ophthalmologist every two years as a minimum; if you’re over 65 years old, yearly examinations are recommended. This is so they can catch any eye diseases early before they progress and become more difficult to treat such as cataracts and glaucoma
Protect your eyes from head trauma by wearing protective eyewear during sporting events like football, hockey, rugby and lacrosse
Avoid looking at screens for up too long without taking breaks: this includes TVs, laptops, tablets etc., which emit blue light into our eyes that has been shown to be harmful for developing eyeballs
Don’t smoke, which increases your risk of eye disease (such as cataracts) and cancer
Use reading glasses every day when you read or do close work: this will help to avoid the need for bifocals later in life; if you are over 40 years old, get a baseline eye exam. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly exams after age 50
Get enough sleep at night — studies have found that lack of sleep can lead to eye problems such as blurry vision because it messes with our body’s natural cycle
Wear sunglasses outside whenever possible where they block UV rays from sunlight.
