. Be sure to make healthy choices to improve your eye health and minimize the risk of future eye problems like age-related macular degeneration, dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts and overall vision loss. Use these tips to improve your eye health.
1 Eat a balanced diet
A healthy, balanced diet is important for overall well-being, but did you know that certain foods you eat can specifically work to improve your vision? Nutrients in certain foods can help reduce the risk of eye problems. Try adding plenty of green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and olive oil to your daily diet to improve your eyesight.
2 Exercises for the eyes
Your eyes contain muscles. And just like the muscles in other parts of your body, it’s important that you exercise them. Doing regular eye exercises can dramatically improve the strength of your eyes and the quality of your vision. Try this exercise: Extend your arm, with your thumb up, in front of you your hand in a circular motion and follow your thumb only with your eyes.
3 Don’t forget your sunglasses
You need to be mindful of your skin and eyes when it comes to sun exposure. Although protection of the skin with sunscreen is generally emphasized, people often forget that the sun’s UV rays can also have negative effects on the eyes. Make sure you always have a pair of good sunglasses with you to help you and protect your eyes in sunny weather.
4 Good sleep habits
Not getting enough sleep each night can hurt your eyes. In fact, lack of sleep is the main cause of eye spasms. Also, tired eyes can be sore and red. Be sure to get at least five hours of sleep (but ideally seven to nine hours) a night for optimal eye health.
5 Do not touch your eyes too much
Be careful not to touch your eyes too often or press on them. If you must touch your eyes for any reason, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly first. Also, if you wear contact lenses or have dry eyes, be sure to handle them properly, change contact lenses regularly, and use eye drops.
6 Turn off electronic devices
Blue light, which is light emitted by electronic devices such as televisions, computers, telephones and e-readers, can have a negative impact on your eyes. Too much staring at electronic devices can also strain your eyes and cause unwanted side effects like headaches, blurred vision, and eye pain. Be sure to limit the amount of time you spend on your electronic devices each day so your eyes aren’t stressed by a screen.
7 Schedule annual eye exams
While it’s important to go to the doctor every year for a medical checkup, it’s just as important to go to the optometrist once a year to have your eyes checked. Many vision and sight problems can be prevented before they start or become too serious. This type of early prevention is only possible if you go to an ophthalmologist and they observe patterns that may be leading your eyes down a problematic path. Make sure you take your eye health seriously by making an appointment with your local optometrist today.
