You visit the doctor for an annual check-up. So what about your eye care? Just like the rest of your body, your eyes need to stay healthy and feeling good. Whether you have a problem or your eyes seem fine, preventative healthcare is absolutely important for your vision. Along with seeing the vision pros for regular check-ups, you can also help to keep your eyes healthy at home. What can you do to make sure that your eyes are in top shape? Take a look some simple ways to take care of your eyes and vision in between your regular well-visits.
Eat Right
You are what you eat. This is true for your body in general, and it's true for your eyes. What are the best foods for eye health? Kale and leafy greens are high in the nutrients needed to lower the risk of some eye-related issues, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are plentiful in leafy greens, may help to prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Other foods that are beneficial for eye health include salmon (the omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of age-related eye diseases), oranges (the vitamin C and antioxidants may delay the development of cataracts), and black-eyed peas (the zinc in them helps to decrease negative effects from light damage).
Rest Your Eyes
Looking at your computer screen for 10 hours a day isn't helping you. Yes, you'll get your work done. But you may also be hurting (or at least straining) your eyes. Keep a 20-20 rule in mind when working at your computer. This means that for every 20 minutes you at your screen, you stop and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. While this won't prevent all eye strains, it may help to reduce the risks.
Wash Your Hands
The germs on your hands don't belong in your eyes—especially if you wear contact lenses. Keeping your hands clean reduces the risk of developing eye infections or irritations.
Wear Sunglasses
Slathering on sunscreen isn't the only way to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun. Wearing sun glasses that block UV-A and UV-B radiation protects your eyes and may reduce the risk of sun-related conditions and injuries.
Along with visiting an eye care pro, such as those at West Bay Eye, keeping your vision healthy at home is an important part of your overall self-care routine. From what you eat to what you wear (sunglasses), you can take steps to keep eye-related diseases, conditions and injuries from developing.
Share28 August 2017
