Eye health is essential to your wellness and day-to-day function. Maintaining the health of your eyes requires that you consider a wide range of strategies.
There are environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors that put your eyes at risk. Understanding these factors and putting the right strategies in place will maintain healthy eyes and prevent most common eye issues.
- Protection From Sunlight
The biggest environmental risk your eyes face is sunlight. Each day, your eyes and skin are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause long-term damage. Just as you wear sunscreen, you should be using protection for your eyes.
Some of the issues related to long-term exposure to UV rays include macular degeneration and cataracts. Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays are ideal for protecting your eyes.
Children and young adults should be especially conscious of the need for eye protection. The majority of the UV exposure individuals experience occurs within the first 18 years of life.
- Nutrition and Eye Health
The nutritional value of the food you eat directly affects your eye health. The following are just some of the important nutrients that support eyesight:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Zinc
These and other nutrients are found in a wide range of foods and prevent common vision problems. By consuming adequate levels of green leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, and fruits, you provide the body with proper nutrition for optimal eye health. Nutrition also helps prevent diseases that are shown to affect eyesight, such as diabetes.
- Lifestyle Factors
Certain habits and lifestyle factors help maintain healthy eyes. If you wear contact lenses, be sure to keep them properly cleaned and stored to prevent infection.
Contact lens cases should be replaced regularly to avoid bacterial growth. Cleaning your case thoroughly when replacing your lenses will help preserve the wellbeing of your eyes.
Working long hours in front of a computer can lead to issues related to headaches, dryness of the eyes, and an inability to focus. Chronic pain around the neck and shoulders can also result from staring at computer screens or devices.
Take regular breaks from the screen and make sure that your computer is in a position that puts the top of the screen at eye level. Screens that prevent glare from your computer screen are also available to help reduce eyestrain. People often blink less when looking at computer screens, which can dry out the eyes. Be sure to blink more often and close your eyes for a short while when taking a break.
These are three tips to help you maintain healthy eyes and prevent common vision issues. Protecting your eyes from UV exposure and eating a healthy diet supports eye health. Putting these practices in place will help you maintain optimal vision for years to come.