Posted by We visit the optometrist once per year to ensure we can read thanks to glasses, but there’s more to eye care than that. In fact, how much do you really know about caring for your eyes? If it isn’t much, check out the tips below to learn all you can today.
If you work in front of the computer all day long, you should rest your eyes frequently. Your eyes tend not to blink when you are staring at the computer screen. This can cause dry eyes and other eye stress. Look away every ten minutes or so and blink to rest your eyes.
Surprisingly enough, the foods you eat can impact your eye health. High amounts of C and E vitamins can help prevent macular degeneration and other diseases. Tuna, beans, salmon, nuts, leafy greens and oranges all are foods with those nutrients.
If you wear contacts, you must follow your eye doctor’s instruction carefully. If your eyes feel irritated when you put them on, that can mean that your contact lenses are damaged. Another reason could be an eye problem that is beginning to form. See your eyecare professional right away to prevent a more serious problem.
Don’t stare at the computer screen too long. You can end up with issues like eyestrain, blurriness, headaches, dry eyes, and decreased distance focus. Try taking breaks every 20 minutes or so by looking 20 feet away from the screen for about 20 seconds. This can help you rest and re-focus your eyes to reduce or prevent those eye issues.
Don’t smoke. Along with other things, smoking can really damage your eyes. It can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Not only that, but it is harmful in other ways to other areas of your body. If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, keep trying, it will be worth it when you are successful.
Never share eye makeup with anyone. Bacteria can transfer from one person to another when eye makeup is shared. This can lead to eye irritation and other problems. At the cosmetic counter, avoid using sample products if it has been opened and used by other people already. Ask for a clean sample if available.
Do you use the computer often, either at work or at home? Looking at the computer screen can be damaging to your eyes, causing blurry vision, strain, headaches and even back and neck pain. Keep your eyes safe by resting them every 20 minutes. Simply look off into the distance for about 20 seconds. Make sure you take a break from your work every hour or so as well.
Visit a vision specialist at least once a year for a comprehensive exam. Even if you can see fine, there may be issues going on. If left undetected, some of them can create huge problems down the line. Properly treated, you may be able to avoid vision challenges that were headed your way.
Be sure to not only get your vision checked every year, but have a comprehensive exam. This often includes other tests which peer inside the eye to check for conditions such as glaucoma or even diabetes. The sooner you catch these issues, the easier it will be to treat them.
To care for your eyes, you must be a healthy weight. Obesity leads to diabetes which can create great damage to your eyes. It also leads to glaucoma, hypertensive retinopathy and other conditions which can lead to blindness. The healthier your body is, the healthier your eyes will be, so lose weight!
Antioxidants can help prevent many eye problems. Studies have proven that antioxidants can help curb some of the biological deterioration people who are aging experience. It is believed antioxidants help by preventing cell damage oxidation causes. You can consume antioxidants through certain foods or even take a supplement; but, be sure to consult with a doctor first before taking one.
To help your eyes when using a computer, use a blinking technique. When you have been using the computer for a half hour or so, look away at something distant. While doing this, blink several times. This change in focus will allow your eyes to relieve strain and focus better on your computer screen.
Keep water or a cool, damp cloth handy while working on your computer. As you focus on the computer, strain sets in easily. If you dab your eyes with water or a cool cloth, you can relieve the strain and help cool the eyes. This will help when spending long periods at work on the computer.
While sunglasses are helpful for protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, it may also be wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat. Wearing this kind of hat prevents any UV rays from reaching your whole face, including your eyes. So, if you know you will be outdoors for a long period of time, wear this kind of hat.
If you use contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands before touching them. There are all sorts of germs and viruses which can enter your body through your eye. The last thing you want is an eye infection, or even a cold or the flu, so wash up first!
Eat foods that promote good eye health. Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins E and C, as well as foods that contain lutein, are excellent choices. Some foods that contain those substances are wild salmon, citrus fruits, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables. Have these foods every day so that your eyes continue to be healthy.
Bring a bottle of eye drops to work or school, especially if you are working in front of a computer screen all day. Apply several eye drops to each eye to help restore moisture so that there is a barrier between your eyes and the external elements that can cause irritation, soreness and dryness.
It is important that you visit your optometrist every year to check your vision, but you should also be checking into the health of your eyes. Learning about eye care today will ensure your eyes serve you well tomorrow. Be sure to make use of every tip so you can see the great results.