Protecting your eyes is important for both short-term and long-term health. Taking the necessary steps to keep your eyes healthy will help prevent eye problems, reduce the risk of vision loss, and ensure you have good vision now and in the future. So, we asked our expert optometrist on the top 10 ways to protect your eyes. Here’s what they came up with.
Get Your Eyes Tested
Of all the possible ways to protect your eyes, there’s only one way to be certain things are in order—regularly scheduled eye tests. Regular check-ups help ensure that any abnormalities or conditions are diagnosed and treated early, when the chances of restoring vision are much higher. At an eye exam, your optometrist will assess the health of your eyes and identify signs of disease or damage. This can enable them to provide treatment to limit this damage and protect your vision in the future. Our expert optician recommends that you get your eyes tested every two years, or more regularly if your family have a history of eye diseases, such as glaucoma or myopia.
Wearing Shades to Protect Your Eyes
Sunglasses don’t only look cool, but they can protect you too! Protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is a must. UV radiation can cause inflammation and damage to the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye leading to long-term damage or even cataracts. Make sure to wear sunglasses that are rated ‘UV400’ or higher when you go out in strong sunlight. Polarized lenses can help reduce glare, which is especially helpful if you drive often.
Limit Your Screen Time
One of the most effective ways to protect your eyes is by limiting the amount of time you look at a screen. Whilst this is difficult in today’s day and age, there are ways you can limit the damage. Make sure to take regular breaks, use good lighting when using your device and adjust the brightness of the screen. If your job includes looking at screens for long periods of time, why not consider purchasing glasses designed to block blue light, which can damage your vision?
A Healthy Balanced Diet
Your eyes need certain vitamins and nutrients to function properly. You can get these by eating a balanced diet full of dark green, leafy vegetables, which are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin—antioxidants that help protect your eyes from damage. Eating citrus fruits, fatty fish and nuts can also help to give you the essential nutrients for eye health. Like anything regarding your diet, everything in moderation is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and protecting your eyes. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet can help you combat diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which have a direct impact on your eyesight.
Get Some Shut-Eye
One of the most effective ways to protect your eyes is by sleeping. Getting enough shut-eye can help increase the number of dopamine receptors in the retina and improve your vision. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night, with 10–12 hours being recommended for children aged between 5–17 years old. Not getting enough rest can cause eye fatigue, dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches. It is also important to ensure that the quality of sleep is also good.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help to keep your eyes healthy. Not only will this help with dry eyes, but it can also reduce your risk of developing eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and dry eye by flushing out toxins and keeping your eyes hydrated. A great way to remember to keep on top of your hydration is by carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day and sipping it regularly.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, it’s time to quit. Smoking can increase your risk of developing several eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Studies have also suggested that smoking may contribute to vision loss in those with diabetes. Quitting is hard, but there are lots of resources available to help you quit for good.
Stay Active
Keeping active and exercising is one of the most enjoyable ways to protect your eyes. Exercise helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of which can have an impact on your vision. Regular exercise also increases oxygen flow to your eyes and releases endorphins that help you relax and improve your overall eye health.
Clean Your Glasses or Contacts
It is important to keep your glasses or contacts clean at all times, especially if you wear them regularly. Make sure to use contact lens cleaning solutions and not tap water when cleaning lenses as this can lead to irritation, infection or even more serious complications. When it comes to glasses, washing them with a mild soap should do the trick.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes Too Much
Whilst it is impossible to not touch your eyes (especially if you wear contact lenses or glasses), reducing the amount of times you do is important. Touching your eyes can cause infections and irritation, which can have a lasting impact on your vision. Try to keep your hands away from the face and keep them clean at all times by washing with soap and water often.
We hope that these ways to protect your eyes have been helpful. Remember to talk to your optometrist and get regular check-ups if you are concerned about any problems with your vision. Take steps now to look after your eyes and ensure healthy sight for many years to come.
Contact Us
At Dolphins Optometrists, we understand the importance of taking care of your eyes. We are here to provide you with advice and recommendations on the many ways to protect your eyes alongside treatment. Contact us today on 01444 454808 or hello@dolphinsoptometrists.co.uk for more information and to book an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
Article: Phoenix Marketing