Humans depend on accurate vision for almost everything they do. Since you are not immune from eye problems, it’s important to know how you can maintain good eyesight. Don’t take your eyes for granted and visit an optometrist regularly. Here are some of the best things you can do to keep your sharp vision well into your golden years.
-
Go For A Full Assessment
You might think your vision is fine, but visiting your eye doctor for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to be sure. Many people don’t realize that they already have vision problems and that they can see even better if they had glasses or contact lenses. In addition, common eye diseases like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration rarely show early symptoms. A full assessment is your only chance of detecting these issues in their early stages.
-
Choose Foods Proven To Boost Eye Health
According to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, certain nutrients like copper, beta-carotene, zinc, and vitamin C and E, may reduce the risk of age-related decline in eye health by 25 percent. The American Optometric Association continues to recommend a diet rich in the nutrients suggested on the AREDS reports.
Fruits and dark leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, or collard greens, are a good source of lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C. There are also immense eye health benefits to be gained from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon, and halibut.
-
Be Cool And Wear Your Sunglasses
Shades are your best friend when you’re out and about in the sun. More than just a fashion accessory, they help filter light and shield your eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays. UV rays can come from many directions. The sun directly emits these rays, but they can also be reflected off the water, snow, sand, and other bright surfaces.
Mounting evidence shows that exposure to UV radiation can lead to vision loss and skin cancer around the eyelids. The longer you stay under the sun, the higher your risk of ruining your eyesight. Look for sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation to protect your peepers.
-
Quit Or Never Start Smoking
Smoking tobacco is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Studies reveal that the habit increases the risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and diabetic retinopathy, all of which could lead to blindness.
-
Limit Your Screen Time
Many of today’s jobs require employees to stare at computer screens for hours at a time. This can put a real strain on the eyes and cause problems that fall under the computer vision syndrome. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes and have a 15-minute break for every two hours in front of the computer.
If you are experiencing headaches, strain, or pain around your eyes, consider getting computer glasses from an eye clinic. It’s also good to level your eyes with the top of the monitor so you don’t stare directly into the screen.
Your eyes play a huge role in your daily life and they’re an important part of your overall health. If you want to see clearly in the years to come, do what you can today to preserve your vision.
