Finding out that there is something wrong with your eyes is bad news. If you have avoided this situation for now, then it’s not time for you to sit back and relax. Instead, it’s time for you to take necessary prevention measures so that your eye health is maintained in the future.
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.
You should wear sunglasses as often as possible. Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement, they’re a source of much-needed protection from the sun. Sunglasses block Ultra-Violet radiation, which can cause serious and long-term damage to the eye. Sunglasses can even prevent wrinkles and cancer from forming around the eye!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Use a cotton wool pad soaked in a solution of rose water and a couple of drops of castor oil. When you place these pads on the eyelids, you can reduce the effects of eye burn. Other irritating issues with your eyes can be diminished or avoided using this method as well.
Quit smoking to keep your eyes healthy. Smoking can cause cataracts, optic nerve damage and other health issues. If you’ve unsuccessfully tried giving up the habit in the past, try again. Each time to try to quit smoking, you are more likely to be able to stop.
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.
Try to stop smoking. Smoking compromises health in many ways, including causing problems with the blood vessels in your eyes. In addition, smokers are more at risk for macular degeneration, cataracts and problems with the optic nerve. Refrain from smoking to keep your eyes healthier.
Eat plenty of greens. When it comes to eye health, carrots are often touted as the vegetable of choice. While it is true that carrots are high in Vitamin A, they are not the only vegetable that can help with vision. Studies show that lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark leafy greens such as spinach can help improve vision even more.
If your eyes are red and puffy, try applying a cool green bag on each eye lid. The tannin in the tea leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. Soak a couple of tea bags in cold water for several minutes. Then, place them on top of your eyelids for about twenty minutes.
A great way to relieve eye strain when using electronics is to incorporate anti-glare covers or screens. Many monitors for computers and tablets use these now and greatly help your eye health over prolonged periods. You should also make sure there are no direct lights on screens to help reduce glare in this way.
If you have eyelids that puff out, cucumber slices can help reduce the puffiness. Simply slice cucumbers into quarter inch slices and apply to your swollen eyes while you lay back and relax. A green tea bag that has been soaked in cold water is also effective at reducing puffiness and inflammation.
Get a yearly physical. There are a number of diseases, like diabetes, that can affect the eyes down the road. Therefore, an early diagnosis is crucial, so that you receive the care you need from the very beginning. Also, watch your cholesterol and blood pressure. They can also affect your eyes.
Visit your eye doctor on a regular basis. It is important to get your eye’s checked for their health and for your vision. If you are straining to see because your vision isn’t good or your glasses or contacts don’t help like they should, you can cause permanent damage.
Figuring out eye health obviously can’t be done just on your own. You’re going to need to work in conjunction with an optometrist, and you’re going to have to follow the steps that have been outlined for you. If you do this, you’re going to be doing all you can to maintain proper eye care.