The eyes enable people to experience one of the five senses: sight. Vision loss can be a very frustrating experience and is something that is more common as people get older. This is why it is important that people maintain the health of their eyes for as long as they can. Eye care specialists Manly say it is crucial for everyone to take care of their eyes. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to do this, regardless of your age. Here are five ways to take care of your eyes.
1. Exercise Caution in the Sun
While getting some sunlight each day is beneficial in many ways, it is necessary to cover some parts of the body, such as the skin and eyes, while out in the sun. Exposing your eyes to the sun for too long puts you at risk for certain conditions that can worsen your vision. To care for your eyes while outdoors, make sure to wear sunglasses that inhibit both UVA and UVB rays from coming through the lenses. Keep in mind that not all sunglasses provide this safeguard, even though they still reduce the amount of light coming through to your eyes.
2. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Maintaining a well-balanced diet is also important for your eyes. There are many recommended foods to eat for eye health, such as:
- Orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe, which contain large amounts of beta carotene
- Salmon, which contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Sources of protein like beans, tofu, nuts and eggs
- Other colorful fruits and vegetables such as kale, broccoli and oranges for their antioxidant properties
Fortunately, many of the foods that are good for eye health are accessible and easy to prepare. However, there may be days when you are too busy or tired to prepare meals that are as healthy as you would like. If you encounter days when it is difficult to eat well-balanced meals, an eye health supplement can help support you.
3. Obtain Eye Exams Regularly
Generally, the sooner that you are aware of an issue with your eyes, the better a doctor can care for the issue. In order to discover common eye ailments as soon as possible, schedule eye exams with a professional on a regular basis. In general, an older person should see an optometrist more often than someone who is younger.
4. Practice Proper Lens Care
If you wear contact lenses, it is extremely important that you handle the lenses in a responsible and safe manner. Some tips to help ensure that you care for your lenses and eyes properly include:
- Always washing your hands with soap and water prior to handling your contact lenses
- Following the directions of your eye doctor when it comes to how long to wear the same pair of lenses
- Disinfecting the lenses as instructed
Many people prefer to wear contact lenses over glasses because they do not have to worry about them falling off or becoming damaged. However, if you choose to wear them, know that they come with a high degree of responsibility. In addition, it is a good idea to have a backup pair of glasses in case your eyes become infected due to the contacts despite your proper care.
5. Be Aware of Screen Time
If you spend a lot of time in front of a smartphone, tablet, television or computer screen, you might want to brush up on best practices to preserve eye health while looking at a screen often. For example, it is a good idea to take regular breaks and avoid looking at the screen for a few minutes. Anti-glare screen covers can also be helpful if you find that looking at a screen for long periods of time is uncomfortable.
While it is great to practice good eye care habits from a young age, people can start taking better care of their eyes regardless of how old they are. Start with these five ways to look after your eyes.
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