Don't take youreyesfor granted. Take these easy steps to keep your peepers healthy.
1. Eat Well
Good eye healthstarts with the food on your plate.Nutrientslike omega-3 fatty acids,lutein, zinc, andvitaminsC and E might help ward off age-relatedvisionproblems like macular degenerationandcataracts. To get them, fill your plate with:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards
- Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
- Eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources
- Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices
- Oysters and pork
A well-balanced dietalso helps you stay at ahealthy weight. That lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases liketype 2 diabetes, whichis the leading cause of blindness in adults.
2. Quit Smoking
Itmakes you more likely to getcataracts, damage to your opticnerve, andmacular degeneration, among many other medical problems. If you've tried tokick the habit before only to startagain, keep at it. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask your doctor for help.
3. Wear Sunglasses
The right pair ofshadeswill help protect youreyesfrom the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances ofcataractsand macular degeneration.
Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive, but don’t necessarily offer added protection.
If you wearcontact lenses, some offer UV protection. It's still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.
4. Use Safety Eyewear
If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles.
Sports like ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection. Helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses will shield your eyes.
5. Look Away From the Computer Screen
Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long cancause:
- Eyestrain
- Blurry vision
- Trouble focusing at a distance
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Neck, back, andshoulder pain
To protect your eyes:
- Make sure your glasses or contacts prescription is up to date and good for looking at a computer screen.
- If your eye strain won’t go away, talk to your doctor about computer glasses.
- Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. That lets you look slightly down at the screen.
- Try to avoid glare from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
- Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
- If your eyes are dry, blink more or try using artificial tears.
- Rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Get up at least every 2 hours and take a 15-minute break.
6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly
Everyone needs a regular eye exam, even young children. It helps protect your sight and lets you see your best.
Eye examscan also find diseases, likeglaucoma, that have no symptoms. It's important to spot them early on, when they're easier to treat.
Depending on your eye health needs, you can see one of two types of doctors:
- Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. They can provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgery.
- Optometrists have had 4 years of specialized training after college. They provide general eye care and can diagnose and treat most eye diseases. They don't do eye surgery.
A comprehensiveeye exammight include:
- Talking about your personal and family medical history
- Vision teststo see if you’renearsighted,farsighted,have an astigmatism(a curvedcorneathat blurs vision), or presbyopia (age-related vision changes)
- Tests to see how well your eyes work together
- Eye pressure and optic nerve tests to check forglaucoma
- External and microscopic examination of your eyes before and after dilation
You might also need other tests.
