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.
When your eyes are focused on detailed work, remind yourself to look up every ten minutes. Your eyes need to be rested from the intense focus that you are subjecting them to. If you life your eyes and look out into the distance for about a minute, you relax your eye muscles.
Keep your eyes protected from the sun. You should wear quality sunglasses to protect them from UV rays. If your eyes are frequently exposed to UVB rays, your risks for macular degeneration and cataracts increase. Try picking a pair of sunglasses that block between 99 and 100 percent of UVB and UVA rays.
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.
Eat foods that are known to promote good eye health. This includes a variety of leafy green vegetables, such as collards, kale and spinach. Citrus fruits provide vitamin C, which can help to maintain your eyesight. In addition, protein sources such as beans, eggs, and lentils can prove beneficial to your eyes.
When shopping for sunglasses, it is important that the lense says it offers 100% UV protection. It is not enough to just have tinted glass because the sun’s radiation can still penetrate the glass and damage your eyes. UV protection will block out the radiation and protect your eyes from damage.
Your eyes need to be checked out on a regularly basis by a doctor. Some eye issues might not show obvious symptoms. A regular eye checkup just makes good sense. You can deal with a lot of eyesight issues if you do your research.
If you blink a lot, you may have a problem. If dry eyes are not your problem, then it might be a nervous tic caused by stress. If this is your problem, relax. If you don’t think it could be a tic, you should consult with a good eye doctor.
Do you play sports? Certain contact sports, like lacrosse and ice hockey, can be dangerous for your eyes. Make sure you wear either sports goggles or a face mask to limit your risk. While it may seem strange to wear them at first, you will quickly get used to them.
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.
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.
Drink anywhere between eight to ten full glasses of water as the day wears on. Water can help to flush the toxins out of your system, which is beneficial in keeping your eyes healthy and moist. Additionally, drinks that contain high sugar content and alcohol can dry your body out and cause excess inflammation.
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.
Try to always wear sunglasses if you are going to be out in the sun. Having your eyes exposed to too much ultraviolet makes you more susceptible to getting macular degeneration and cataracts. Make sure you choose sunglasses that block from 99% to 100% of the UVB and UVA rays.
Quit smoking now if you are concerned about your eye health. Smoking can cause an increased risk of macular degeneration, optic nerve damage and cataracts. If you’ve unsuccessfully tried giving up the habit in the past, try again. The more times you attempt to quit smoking, the greater you likelihood of success will be.
Take breaks if you work on a computer. By getting up and moving, you will feel better and get your blood moving. This will help your eyes as they get more blood and oxygen and diminish the strain they are enduring.
Keep some form of artificial tear drops around. A lot of eye strain is related to improperly lubricated eyes. By using drops, you can increase the thickness and amount of lubrication your eyes need. If you are sensitive to preservatives, look for a brand that is preservative-free to avoid creating more symptoms.
See an optometrist. As you get older, your eyes do not work as well as they once did. You may not have needed glasses your entire life, but its a good idea to see an optometrist every year, the same as you see a dentist every few months. An optometrist will be able to tell you how your eyes are doing, and you can get glasses if necessary.
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.