Our eyes are one of the most important features of our body; therefore, it is very important to take good care of them. Improper eye care can lead to vision problems and in extreme cases blindness. In this article, we will show several simple and important tips to help maintain your eyes healthy.
If eye problems seem to run in your family, visit an eyecare professional. You can have your optometrist test for hereditary conditions that you find out about. The sooner they are aware of it, the sooner they can treat you for it, and that can make a big difference.
Keep your eyes protected when dealing with hazardous situations. In certain types of unclean or hazardous environments, you should keep your eyes protected by wearing safety goggles. These also include certain sports. Activities like lacrosse, ice hockey, or racquetball can cause eye injuries, which is why you should wear helmets that have built-in face masks or sports goggles.
The foods you eat can cause eye damage. Studies show that food that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins E and C can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Foods like beans, nuts, salmon, leafy green veggies, and salmon all contain these nutrients.
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.
Get more Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids have plenty of health benefits and yet another has been discovered that helps the eyes. As most people grow older, their eyes stop producing enough oil and mucus to lubricate the eyes. However, diets with plenty of Omega-3 have been shown to increase the production of the required oils within the eye.
If you use the computer often, you need to know you could be hurting your eyes. Frequent blinking will help your eyes when they are feeling dry. Make sure you cut down the amount of screen glare. Anti-glare screens can really help your eyes. Finally, make sure the computer is positioned such that your eyes and the top of the monitor are level with one another. Looking down towards the screen is the best position.
When you are staring at a computer for long periods of time you blink less often. This can lead to eye fatigue. To combat it, remember the phrase 20-20-20. This means Every twenty minutes give your eyes a break by looking into the distance twenty feet away, for twenty seconds. It will refresh your eyes and prevent eye strain.
Make sure you have good light when you are reading, especially if the book you are reading has fine print. Although your eyes will not be damaged by reading in dim light, the eye strain it causes will make your eyes feel tired. You should take a break occasionally while reading, especially if your eyes begin to feel tired.
Keep in mind that having eye issues may be inevitable for some. Many eye conditions are hereditary. You can take great care of your eyes and still have major issues. If you have family member with eye problems, you may want to talk to them about which issues run in the family. You can bring up these conditions to your optometrist so that they can watch for the early signs.
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.
Try not to touch your eyes. It may seem hard to do, but your hands carry many germs and irritants that can get into your eyes and cause issues. You should also never scratch your eyes. If you must touch or rub your eyes, make sure your hands are clean and that you handle them gently.
Be careful with computer use. If you use a computer a lot, you could be damaging your eyes. Make sure that you take a break from looking at the screen every half-hour. You can also be sure to position yourself so that you are looking down to see the monitor. These simple steps will help preserve your eyes.
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%!
Just like you keep your face clean, make sure your eyes stay clean as well! It is easy for bacteria to enter the eyes, causing an infection. Always make sure your hands are clean when putting in your contacts. Apply makeup carefully, and do not allow a tissue that you’ve sneezed in to touch your eyes.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat when you go outside. People generally forget about the skin that covers their eyes when thinking about eye care, but the truth is that your eyelids are very important. By wearing a good hat outdoors, you decrease the chances that you develop a melanoma on your eyelids.
Use eye drops sparingly. While eye drops are effective in soothing irritated eyes and reducing redness, you shouldn’t use them too often. Used frequently, the soothing effects will begin to lose effectiveness, and you may end up with a rebound effect. This means that your eyes will be even drier than before. If your eyes need additional moisture, choose a saline only drop whenever possible.
As previously mentioned, the eyes play a very important function. It’s very important to care for them the best way possible in order to avoid negative consequences and preserve your sight. If you implement the tips highlighted here, you can protect your vision and assure your eyes remain healthy always.