Posted by Though it may be frequently overlooked by some, eye care really is a topic that requires a good deal of attention and emphasis. The health of the eyes can have significant implications in just about every aspect of life, and is therefore worthy of real effort. The tips below are intended to help you keep your eyes in great shape and get the eye care you need.
When selecting an eye care professional, do not skimp when it comes to doing your homework on each prospective doctor’s qualifications. Check their educational background, certifications and licensure to ensure that everything is as represented. Doing these things will help you feel confident when it comes to entrusting the health of your eyes to someone new.
Always wash your hands before you touch your eyes. Your fingers are covered with bacteria because your hands touch surfaces that other people have touched. If you touch your eyes without washing your hands, you will transfer bacteria to your eyes and cause irritation or even an infection. Therefore, before touching your eyes, wash your hands with soap and water.
Avoid frequent eye strain, for the long-term health of your eyes. While the occasional squinting isn’t going to do much harm, if you’re doing it on a daily basis, your vision could be in danger. Experts recommend getting an exam to determine if your strain is due to needing glasses and to otherwise go easy on your eyes.
Wear protective eye gear. Sunglasses are great when it comes to protecting your eyes from the sun, but when you’re on the job and need to protect your eyes from sawdust, debris, or sand make sure you wear tougher eye gear than just a pare of goggles. Goggles are a must-have for anyone working in these kinds of environments.
Whether you think it is true or not, the foods you eat can impact eye problems. Studies show that eating foods rich in Vitamins E and C, omega-3 fats and zinc often prevents macular degeneration and cataracts, along with other eye maladies. Beans, nuts, oranges, tuna, leafy vegetables, and salmon all contain these nutrients.
If you suffer with red puffy eyes a lot, consider reducing your sodium intake. Unfortunately, the salt we enjoy on our food isn’t all that good for our bodies, including the eyes. Try switching to sea salt instead, or using other herb and spice mixtures that contain no sodium at all. Your eyes should improve quickly.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyesight. Even when it’s cloudy, the UV rays can harm your eyes and skin. Find shades that offer UV protection. While they will probably cost more, the proper care of your eyes is at stake.
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.
Go to the eye doctor on a regular basis to check for any inconsistencies that may disrupt your vision and impact the quality of your sight. If you have any problems, this doctor can give you contacts or glasses you so that you are not squinting during the day, which can cause painful migraine headaches.
Make sure to consume copious amounts of Vitamin A during the course of the day. Vitamin A is great for helping to reduce the inflammation and irritation that you may feel, which can cause dryness. Foods that have high sources of this vitamin include carrots, chicken, potatoes, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Regular eye exams is fundamental to having eyes that are healthy This should happen more often as you age. You are at risk for eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts as you get older. An ophthalmologist can catch an issue early.
Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. If you’re looking for another excuse to drink coffee in the morning, then you’ve found one. Studies have shown that drinking one or two cups of coffee each morning can actually help replenish tears that help keep eyes moist. Keep the limit at two cups or you’ll do more damage than good.
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 want to maintain your eyes healthy and you are a smoker, quit smoking. Smokers are more prone to getting optic nerve damage, macular degeneration and cataracts. If you have attempted to quit smoking before and have failed, keep trying. If you need extra motivation, think about the damage smoking can do to your eyes.
When you are outdoors, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses can protect your eyes by blocking harmful rays from the sun. These rays, called ultraviolet rays, can contribute to cataracts as well as macular degeneration. Blocking the rays with sunglasses allows you to protect your eyes while also allowing you to look fashionable.
Try to get eight hours of sleep at night. Sleep helps to restore your body and keeps you feeling fresh and energetic, which will reduce the redness in your eyes and keep you healthy. Staying awake will also strain your eyes, which will constrict the blood vessels too often, causing inflammation.
You may not realize how important staying physically fit is for the health of your eyes. Being overweight can cause a number of health problems, one of them being glaucoma. Exercising for about a half an hour each day can reduce pressure on your eyes by as much as 20%!
It is sometimes easy to take eye care for granted, particularly if you have never experienced problems with your vision. However, because eye health can have an impact on overall health, it is important to take eye care seriously. By keeping the above advice handy, you can be prepared for anything that comes your way.