What Are Some Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy?
- Get an Eye Exam. An eye doctor here should conduct a thorough eye exam every year. Your vision can gradually deteriorate – often too slowly to notice. Other eye problems may not develop symptoms until it is too late to treat them. An eye exam can identify problems early and give us a chance to treat them.
- Know Your Family Medical History. Many eye conditions are hereditary. Let your eye doctor know if there is a history of vision problems in your family so that he or she can more carefully monitor the health of your eyes.
- Protect Your Eyes. Safety glasses, sports goggles, and eye guards are all designed to help prevent serious eye injuries. Use them.
- Wear Sunglasses. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage your eyes and result in cataracts and/or macular degeneration. We recommend wearing sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation.
- Limit Screen Time. Spending too much time in front of a computer screen or staring at a smartphone increases the eyes’ exposure to blue light and can cause eye strain, dry eye, and other conditions that can damage your vision, retina, and macula. Use digital lenses with blue light anti-reflective coating to block blue light wavelengths and help you focus more easily. Take regular breaks to look off into the distance and rest your eyes.
- Lead a Healthy Life. Making good choices for your overall health will also help your eyesight. Watch your weight, as obesity raises the risk of diabetes, which can affect your eyes. Don’t smoke, as smoking has been linked to macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage. Manage chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, which can also damage your vision. Make sure your diet includes eye- friendly foods like dark, leafy greens and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.