Vision health is paramount for all facets of your life, including physical health, social engagement, education, employment, and socioeconomic position. There are multiple steps that you can take to maintain their optimal well-being and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these ten simple steps to maintain your eyesight in the glory of your youth days:
Have A Comprehensive Dilated Eye Screening
You may believe your eyesight is okay or that your eyes are healthy, however, the only way to be certain is to consult your eye care professional for an extensive dilated eye test. When it comes to prevalent eye conditions, some people are unaware that glasses or contact lenses could help them see effectively. Furthermore, many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration, have no symptoms. Only a dilated eye assessment can diagnose these diseases in their initial stages.
Contact Care
If you wear contact lenses, ensure that you are taking good care of them. Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your contact lenses to reduce the possibility of infection. Make sure to disinfect your contact lenses as directed and substitute them as needed. Never shower, sleep, or swim with your lenses in because you risk developing a severe eye infection that could lead to vision loss.
Wear protective Eyewear
Wear protective eyewear when participating in sports or performing household tasks. Protective eyewear such as safety goggles, protection shields, and eye guards are specifically manufactured to safeguard against a specific activity. The majority of protective eyewear goggles are made of polycarbonate, a material that is ten times stronger than other plastics.
Update Your Prescription
In addition to getting your eyes checked annually, be mindful to substitute your glasses or contact lenses with your repeat prescription when you are advised to do so. To maintain the optimum vision of your eyes, it’s necessary to update your vision aids if you feel your eyesight has changed.
Protect Your Eyes From The Sun
While we all know that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are bad for our skin, they can also harm our delicate eyes. So, when it’s sunny or when you’re in a place with a lot of glare, such as near snow or water, wear sunglasses. Invest in a pair of sunglasses with 100% UV protection or that block both UVA and UVB rays.
Eat Well
Protecting your eyes should ideally start with what you eat. According to research, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E may effectively prevent age-related vision issues like macular degeneration and cataracts. Green vegetables, oily fish such as salmon, eggs, whole grains, chicken, and citrus fruits are all high in eye-friendly nutrients.
Stay Active
Moderate exercise is a good way to stay active and healthy, and it also contributes to good eye health. People who walk for exercise are less prone to developing AMD, according to research. Exercise also aids in the control of obesity, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, all of which promote eye health. There is growing evidence that spending two hours or more a day outdoors can minimize the chances of myopia, even if the condition runs in the family.
Be Screen Smart
Although working at a laptop will not harm your eyes, long periods of focusing on a screen can cause screen fatigue, which includes sore, itchy, or tired eyes, headaches, impaired colour perception, and temporary blurring. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, turn your eyes away for 20 seconds about 20 feet in front of you. This can help to alleviate eye strain.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is as harmful to your lungs as it is to your eyes. Studies have proven that smoking raises the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and damage to the optic nerve, all of which can lead to vision loss.
Know Your Family’s Eye Health History
Inquire with your family members about their history of eye health. Given that many eye conditions are inherited, it is vital to know if anyone has been diagnosed. Your odds of catching an eye disease will be determined with the help of this information.