Whether or not you wear glasses or contacts, taking care of your eyesight should be a priority.
Our eyes play an important role in how we interact with the world around us and are directly linked to our overall health.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t give much thought to our eye health until something goes wrong. By then, it may be too late to prevent serious damage.
That’s why it’s important to take a proactive approach to eye care. Here are some tips:
Maintain Good Physical Health
If your general health is poor, your eyes will also likely suffer.
For example, conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to tissue damage and vision problems.
So, if you want to keep your eyes healthy, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, don’t smoke, and get enough sleep.
And if you have a chronic health condition like obesity, hypertension, or diabetes, make sure to keep it under control with medication and lifestyle changes.
Keep Your Hands Clean
You probably touch your face much more often than you realize, which means you’re constantly transferring infectious bacteria and other potential contaminants to your eyes.
To reduce your risk of infection, it’s important to keep your hands clean. Wash them often with soap and water, and avoid touching your face unless you’ve just washed your hands.
Wear Sunglasses and Protective Gear
When you’re outside, protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays is important.
Wear sunglasses that block out at least 99% of UV light, and consider wearing a brimmed hat to shade your eyes.
If you’re involved in any activities that pose a risk of eye injury—such as playing sports, working with power tools, or using chemicals—wear appropriate safety gear.
This might include safety glasses, goggles, or full-face shields.
Light Is For The Daytime
Your body’s natural processes and cycles are directly linked to light exposure. Your circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock) is tuned based on the expectation that you will see the light during the day and darkness at night. Suppose you throw off this natural cycle by neglecting daylight or exposing yourself to too much bright light in the evening (including TVs, computers, and cell phones!). In that case, it can ruin your sleep, disrupt your digestive processes, and even potentially contribute to depression.
During the daytime, let as much natural light into your home and office as possible. And in the evening, give your eyes a break from screens and dim the lights inside.
Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly
Even if your vision seems perfect, it’s important to visit an eye doctor regularly, at least once every two years. Some conditions don’t cause symptoms until they’ve already caused significant damage, so regular check-ups can aid in early detection and treatment.
If you have a personal or family history of eye disease, you may need to visit more frequently.
If you’ve been prescribed corrective lenses, make sure to wear them as directed and have regular appointments to monitor your vision.
And if you notice any changes in your vision, make an appointment with an eye doctor immediately.
