You use your eyes every day, so it’s important to keep them healthy! Read on for our top five tips for protecting your eyes.
- Get a comprehensive yearly eye exam – even if you think your vision is perfect. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will check for any changes in your vision, as well as for signs of eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. He or she will also determine if you need to update your glasses or contact lens prescription.
- Choose eye-friendly foods. A 2010 French study found that eating vegetables improved the condition of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration. Similarly, other studies have found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help protect against macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are said to do the same thing. You can find these nutrients in kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and turnip greens.
- Learn your family’s eye health history. Talk to your doctor about any conditions your immediate family members have experienced so he or she can screen you for symptoms.
- What is the must-have accessory for eye health? You guessed it! Sunglasses! Choose a pair that is labeled as providing 99 to 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays for the best protection.
- Reduce eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, especially if you are using a computer for an extended period of time. Look 20 feet in front of you every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
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