You take care of your skin, teeth, and hair. However, do you take good care of your eyes? Vision is your most dominant sense. According to statistics, over 80% of what you perceive comes through your eyes.
So, how to maintain sharp vision and improve overall eye health? Let’s find out
Eat Foods Good for Your Eyesight
Back in 2001, a research study found that certain nutrients can minimize the risk of age-related eye diseases. Some of these nutrients are zinc, vitamin C, copper, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
Here is a brief list of foods that can improve your eyesight:
- Oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including tuna, salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, and herring
- Nuts and legumes, such as walnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts, lentils
- Seeds, including chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds
- Citrus fruits, like grapefruits, lemons, oranges
- Leafy green vegetables, such as collards, spinach, kale
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Raw red peppers
- Beef
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams involve numerous tests, including visual field tests, visual acuity tests, tonometry, and dilation. Using these procedures, an ophthalmologist detects potential eyesight problems and provides you with the right treatment.
Most of us put off getting our eyes checked because it seems like such a hassle. However, eye surgery can really damage your vision if left untreated. Eye screening tests are the perfect alternative to doctor’s appointments; they only take a few minutes and will give you peace of mind that everything is ok for your eyes.
If you have a refractive error, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, you need to wear glasses or contacts.
Many eye diseases are age-related, including presbyopia, glaucoma, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and temporal arteritis. Fortunately, most can be treated successfully. For example, cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the lens in the front of the eye. They establish slowly and cause blurry vision. They can be safely removed with surgery, according to the specialists.
Consider other Risk Factors
Apart from age-related issues, also consider other risk factors, such as inherited diseases. The list of hereditary ocular issues is long, and it includes the following vision problems:
- albinism
- aniridia
- colorblindness
- corneal dystrophies
- glaucoma
- keratoconus
- night blindness
Many diseases are tightly linked with eyesight failure. Some of them are diabetes, high blood pressure, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, liver disease, etc. If you suffer from chronic diseases, schedule more frequent eye exams.
Minimize the Exposure to Computer and Smartphone Screens
The digital revolution has turned us into screen zombies. Whether you are a programmer or an accountant, you spend lots of time at work in front of your computer. Even when we are not working, smartphone screens are an inseparable part of our lives. According to surveys, the average American spends:
- four hours and 30 minutes watching TV
- over three hours playing video games
- four hours and 33 minutes consuming digital content via smartphones
- nearly five hours on computers
Sitting too much in front of your computer, TV, or smartphone screen causes numerous health issues, including back/neck/shoulder pain. Moreover, it harms your vision. Excessive exposure to screens causes many eyesight problems, including dry eyes, blurry vision, and long-distance focus issues.
To take care of your eyes in the digital era, reduce your exposure to screens. Whether you are working or reading an electronic book, follow the 20-20-20 rule. In other words, rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
If your job requires you to spend lots of time working on a computer, consider investing in computer glasses that block blue light. They have experts who can help you understand the risks and benefits of different eye treatments and advise you on the best way to protect your vision.
Reduce the Risk of Eye Injuries
The risks of eye injuries are lurking everywhere, from your workplace to playing sports.
Eye trauma, such as deep puncture wounds from accidents, can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss.
That is why you should wear protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries. They can prevent most eye injuries or at least decrease their severity.
Over to You
Taking care of your eyes is a long-term investment in your overall health.
For starters, change your diet and intake of foods rich in the nutrients mentioned above.
Wear protective goggles to minimize the risk of eye injuries.
Most importantly, schedule regular eye exams. An ophthalmologist will consider various factors, such as your working environment, age, and overall health condition. They can identify risk factors and provide you with the right treatment.
How do you take care of your eyes? Please, share your thoughts with us!
