Posted by Everyone is born with two eyes. Most people use their eyes each day to see, so it is important that they continue to function properly. As you get older, it is even more important to make sure that your eyes are taken care of. Here are a few things you can do to care for your eyes.
Avoid touching your eyes with your hand during the day if you had not washed your hands. When you are on the job or in school, your hands are in contact with surfaces that are full of bacteria. If you touch your eyes, you will transfer the bacteria to your eyes and raise the risk if an eye infection.
Make sure you always have adequate lighting when you work or read. Your eyes will be straining all the time if you’re trying to see things without sufficient illumination in the room. Over time, this can cause serious damage. Increase your wattage or the number of lighting fixtures in any given room to solve the problem.
Avoid glare when possible, including that from your electronic devices. Glare is a concentration of bright light, so you know it is not good for your eyes. If you are using your device where glare is an issue, you should purchase an anti-glare screen protector for your laptop, phone or tablet.
Include as many fruits and vegetables as possible in your diet; especially carrots and sweet potatoes which provide beta carotene (Vitamin A). Salmon is high in Omega 3’s and broccoli, brussels sprouts and bell peppers are good sources of Vitamin C. These anti oxidants can help prevent macular degeneration and blindness.
If you work in an environment where particles or objects may become airborne, wear safety goggles. Though many construction sites require them, other professions may not. Look around at your work environment. Consider how the various objects may encounter your eyes. If you perceive potential danger, purchase a pair of safety glasses.
As you probably already know, smoking is bad for your overall health. What you may not have known is that it is actually bad for your eye health, too. It can lead to a number of eye conditions, such as optic nerve damage, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Do your best to quit smoking to avoid these conditions.
Put on some sunglasses. This will help prevent rays from damaging your eyes. Too much exposure can cause damage to the eyes. Find ones that address UVB and UVA rays. Wraparound glasses can protect the sides of your eyes.
Pay attention to the heating or air conditioning in your home. Many times an HVAC system can cause dry eyes. Run a humidifier in conjunction with your heating system to keep the air moist and comfortable. Moisture helps keep your eyes from becoming dry and irritated.
Always wear safety goggles when coming in contact with hazardous materials, regardless of if you are at work or at home. It is best to keep a pair of these goggles in both locations, just in case you are faced with a situation where you need them. Do not take the safety of your eyes for granted.
Position your computer monitor at the ideal distance from your eyes. If your monitor is positioned too high or too close, it can cause you eye strain. Eyes that are stressed are prone to develop more problems down the road. The computer screen should be positioned at eye level and at least at an arm’s distance.
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.
Remember to replace your contact lenses at least once every three months. Two months is actually a much better target, or even one month. Many people forget to replace their contacts as frequently as they should, which later leads to more serious problems in the eyes, such as irritation, ulcers, or infections.
Quit smoking immediately. Smoking is terrible for your eyes as it will restrict the blood flow that you need to keep your eyes functioning properly. Additionally, smoking can disrupt your immune system, which is needed to flush out the free radicals in your body. This will make you feel better while improving the health of your eyes.
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.
Know your history. If your parents or grandparents had trouble with their eyes, chances are you will too. Make an effort to get checkups at the eye doctor more often, to ensure that no problems have developed. And, if you are diagnosed with anything, make sure your family members know about it.
It is very possible to have an eye condition and not even know it; some conditions do not even produce any symptoms. This is why it is important to see an eye doctor each year, something most people neglect to do. An eye doctor can take a thorough look at your eyes and investigate any problems he or she may find.
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.
After reading this article, you now have the knowledge you need to better care for your eyes. Make sure that you use the tips above to help you to start thinking about what you can do for your eyes. Try each of the tips to see which ones work best for you and your eyes.