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.
The best advice in eye care is to have regular eye exams. Especially if you’ve reached the age of 40, your eyes need more attention than ever before. Various diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, can have a very negative impact on vision. Regular examinations will ensure eye health is protected.
Eat your vegetables. Living a healthy life is all about eating the right foods and avoiding the bad ones. Leafy green vegetables are packed full of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which are very useful vitamins that help the body preform many of its necessary functions, such as repairing and replacing dead skin cells, thus preventing wrinkles and fine lines.
What you eat is very important to the health of your eyes. A diet that is rich in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids are helpful to good eyesight. Many vegetables like carrots and broccoli are rich in vitamin A. Fish and nuts can provide you with the omega-3 that you need.
Avoid exposing your eyes to bright light for a long period of time. The bright light can cause your eye muscles to strain. They can also damage your eyes. If you are out in the sun all day long, wear a hat and a pair of sunglasses that offer UV protection.
Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated. Your eyes are made mostly of water, and they need to stay moist at all times to remain healthy. Dry eyes are more prone to eye problems and diseases. Keeping your body fully hydrated will ensure that your eyes stay moisturized.
It might not seem logical, but your diet has a huge impact on your health care. Eating foods that contain zinc, Vitamins E and C and omega-3 fatty acids can prevent several eye conditions including macular degeneration and cataracts. Tuna, beans, salmon, nuts, leafy greens and oranges all are foods with those nutrients.
Do you still smoke? It is time to quit. Although most people know it damages the lungs and heart, most don’t know that their eyes will suffer too. Also, you can get eye diseases due to the corruption of your immune system from smoking. By stopping smoking, you can cut the risk of optic nerve damage and cataracts.
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.
Use good sunglasses. They can keep your eyes safe from harmful ultraviolet rays. The sunglasses you choose should block UVA and UVB rays 100%. If you are driving often, polarized lenses are best. This will help reduce glare. Even if your contacts offer UV protection, wearing sunglasses is still important.
When you are reading, make sure that you have adequate lighting. Reading in low light can cause your eyes to strain unnecessarily. This can lead to eye discomfort and potential problems. Read by a window that provides bright light, or turn on more lights indoors when you are reading at night.
Avoid looking at your computer screen for too long. Take a break every half hour to give your eyes a rest from the strain. Staring at your computer can cause dry eye because you do not blink as often, so make an effort to blink every 30 seconds while you are at your computer.
Always take out your contact lenses before you sleep. Contact lenses that are left inside the eyes for too long will harbor bacteria growth. You should remove your contact lenses every night and disinfect them properly. Failing to do so will just set you up for more frequent eye infections.
To diminish puffy eyes, use slices of raw potato. Cut the potato into half circles and place over your closed eyes. If you prefer, you can grate the potato and place in some Muslin cloth, then squeeze excess liquid out and place on closed eyes. Leave either on for 15-20 minutes for best effect.
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.
Make sure to have your eyes looked at regularly. Many people, particularly if they do not wear glasses or contacts, have not been to the eye doctor in years. You should go at least once in your 20s and at least twice in your 30s to make sure everything is on track. Once you hit forty, try and visit the eye doctor every three years or so. And, when you reach age 65, you should go every other year.
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.
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.