As with most good things in life, we tend to take our eyesight for granted right until the point it starts giving us trouble. Once we start squinting to be able to read the newspapers and start getting migraines, then we begin to wonder whether all those late nights sitting in front of our computers were really such a great idea. To prevent our eyesight from degrading and keep our vision clear for a long time to come, follow these steps to ensure your eyes remain healthy.
Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the most harmful ways we damage our bodies over time, with our eyes being particularly sensitive to it. It can cause macular degeneration even in people who otherwise take good care of their eyes, and prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke will significantly impair our eyesight and overall health. Passive smokers aren’t safe from this either, with children being at a great risk of developing asthma, eye issues and even cot death. Most smokers use cigarettes to deal with stress, so it’s understandably difficult to find a replacement that’s quite as effective. Quitting an addiction is never easy, but if you want to save your health, the health of those around you, and be more environmentally responsible then it really is necessary to quit smoking.
See an ophthalmologist
Most of us understand the need to see their doctors on a regular basis, and we do our best to keep the checkups a part our routine. However, unless you have very specific and obvious symptoms, a general practitioner won’t be able to determine whether your eyes are completely healthy or not. There’s increasing evidence that standard physical exams are kind of useless as well, so you really need to schedule regular ophthalmologist checkups and blood tests, especially if you have a history of bad eyesight in the family.
Eat well
What we eat generally affects every single system in our body, and our eyes are no different. You want to incorporate plenty of fish and leafy green veggies into your diet, but citrus fruits, nuts, eggs and beans are a great idea too. These contain nutrients such as lutein, zinc, vitamins C and E and omega-3, which are essential for macular health. A healthy diet also helps prevent obesity and diabetes, which are two issues that can impact our eye health in very bad ways.
Take care of your glasses and contacts
If you’ve been wearing glasses from early childhood, you were probably taught how to take care of them, but most of us grow lazy and stop paying attention. Glasses just sort of merge with us, we barely think about them, and that’s a mistake. Wipe the lenses with a soft, cotton cloth every day, and once every two weeks it’s not a bad idea to give the glasses a rinse with warm water and gentle soap to remove the bacteria. When you lay them down, make sure they’re facing upwards, and always keep them in a hard case when you aren’t using them. Change the frame if it loses shape – there are plenty of good glasses frames online, and you do need to have glasses that sit comfortably on your face.
When it comes to your contacts, you need to be even more careful. Make sure your hands are clean and dry whenever you handle them, use a good cleaning solution, and never ever go to bed with your contact lenses still on. You also want to keep your lens case clean and to replace it every three months.
Don’t strain your eyes
You already know this one, but it bears repeating – stop staring at your computer screen or TV all the time. You need to take short breaks every half an hour, just a minute of looking away, or closing your eyes.
Wear sunglasses
Not only will they make you look pretty cool, they will also protect your eyes from the glare of the sun and the harmful UVA and UVB radiation. Find sunglasses that are stylish and comfortable and keep them close by at all time during summer.
Wear safety glasses
If you work in a profession that exposes you to hazardous chemicals or bright glare, you need to wear safety glasses at all times. Each employer is required to provide these, so make sure to use them whenever you’re handling something that could potentially harm your eyes. Too many accidents have happened because people decided that they don’t really need protective gear, or thought that they’ll be fine as long as they squint while they work. Don’t be the person that loses their eyesight because they grew lazy. These kinds of accidents happen a lot more than you think, but they can easily be avoided if you remain responsible.
We hope these tips help you become more responsible with your eye health, and keep your vision sharp well into the old age.
Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on a lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
Twitter | Facebook