Our vision and sight are crucial for allowing us to connect with our surroundings and help keep us safe. As the most developed sensory organs in the body, you should never take your eyes for granted, so here are a few tips on how to maintain good eyesight and eye health.
Eat Well
To maintain good eye health, the best place to start is by looking at your diet and making changes if necessary. It’s important that you incorporate plenty of vitamin C and E, alongside nutrients such as zinc and omega 3. Eating foods packed with vitamins and nutrients may help fight off age-related vision issues such as macular degeneration. Following a balanced diet not only helps your eyesight but can help keep your weight in check and lower the risk of developing a disease like type 2 diabetes, which can result in blindness.
Stop Smoking
We all know how bad smoking is for our health and wellbeing, so if you’re a smoker and are having trouble with your eyesight, continuing the habit can increase your chances of developing damage to your optic nerve, as well as cataracts. When you take into account that smokers are four times more likely to go blind once hitting old age, this should be a red flag that it’s time to pack the habit in for good. If you’re struggling to give up, there are lots of resources available that can help.
Use Safety Eyewear
Whether you work in construction, play sports, or are doing a home improvement project, you may use airborne or hazardous materials that can have a damaging effect on your eyesight. No matter what you do, it’s vital that you wear protective goggles or safety glasses. If you’re a lover of health and fitness and partake in extreme sports, not wearing the correct equipment can increase your risk of an eye injury, so make sure that you wear eye protection.
Wear Sunglasses
If you enjoy being out and about in the summer months, you need to shield your eyes away from the sun. The UV rays the sun projects can boost your chances of macular degeneration and cataracts, so investing in a pair of sunglasses and getting into the habit of wearing them when outdoors will lower your risk considerably. If you aren’t sure what type of sunglasses to purchase, it’s advisable to stick with ones that block 99% to 100% of UVB and UVA rays. For those who wear contact lenses, while they may provide some protection against UV rays, it’s still recommended to use sunglasses for extra protection.
Have Regular Eye Tests
To give you peace of mind and ensure your vision is at its best, it’s important that you go for an eye exam. Regular eye exams and addressing any concerning issues early on is critical for maintaining good eyesight, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your optician.
To avoid eye-related health problems, there are numerous lifestyle changes that you can make such as the ones listed above. You should also go for regular eye test examinations, which can help you maintain good eyesight and eye health and stop any problems in their tracks.
