A lifetime of healthy vision is something everyone wants, but we don’t always take the steps needed to help make it a reality. Here’s a list of five good things to do for your eyes:
DAILY: Eat a healthy diet with healthy vision foods
Do you eat your five-a-day? People who eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can usually get all the vitamins and minerals they need to maintain healthy eyes and healthy vision. Bonus: add these powerhouse foods to your shopping cart to be sure you get the right nutrients you need for healthy eyes.
DAILY: Avoid digital eyestrain
Our devices are our constant companions, so we are all familiar with how our eyes feel after staring at a computer or phone screen all day long. It’s important to rest your eyes often – look away from the screen every few minutes – and take frequent breaks from the computer. You also want to make sure you have adequate lighting that doesn’t reflect off the computer screen.
DAILY: Avoid touching your eyes
We constantly handle and touch dirty things all day: keys, keyboards, phones, doorknobs, etc. Even if you are diligent about washing your hands, touching your eyes is simply not a good idea as it can accidentally irritate or cause an infection in your eyes. If you have to touch your eyes, either to handle your contacts or to apply makeup, make sure your hands are freshly and thoroughly washed.
WEEKLY: Think about eye protection as you prepare for any activity
If you’re outdoors doing the weekly gardening or DIY chores, wear safety glasses or goggles to keep your eyes safe from flying dirt or debris. If your weekly exercise routine includes a game of tennis, soccer or basketball, consider wearing eye protection (shatter resistant glasses or goggles).
ANNUALLY: Get an eye exam
Annual visits evaluate the health of your eye and check for early signs of eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, all of which are best managed with early intervention. Keep your ophthalmologist up to date on your overall health and any medication you may be taking. Frequent eye exams are important if you wear contact lenses to help prevent damage from improper use, fit or to treat dry eye irritation. Checking on your prescription is essential. This is also a great time to talk with your ophthalmologist about your vision correction options and finding out if you are a good candidate for LASIK.
ALWAYS: Have a good relationship your eye doctor
In addition to knowing you are doing what is best for your eyes today, your eye doctor is your partner in healthy eyes and vision for life. Over time, your needs may change and require the care of a specialist. Having an eye doctor you routinely work with and trust means you will always get the best care for your condition.
Following this calendar of recommendations and having an open, strong relationship with your eye doctor can help to ensure your eye health and a lifetime of good vision.
This post originally appeared on All About Vision.
Comments