From learning in the classroom to being aware of your surroundings, vision is one of our most important senses. As such, it is of utmost importance to take proper care of your eyes. Whether your vision has started to deteriorate or you are simply trying to keep it in top shape, this collection of tips can help. Read on for more information on how to take care of your eyes.
Get your eyes checked every year. Your eyecare professional can examine your eyes to make sure that there are no underlying problems that are developing. Even if you have good vision, it is important to get your eyes examined once a year. Doing this regularly will ensure that you will have healthy eyes as you get older.
When selecting an eye care professional, do not skimp when it comes to doing your homework on each prospective doctor’s qualifications. Check their educational background, certifications and licensure to ensure that everything is as represented. Doing these things will help you feel confident when it comes to entrusting the health of your eyes to someone new.
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.
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.
It is very important to protect your eyes from direct sunlight, so make sure to wear sunglasses when you are outdoors or driving. The polarized sunglasses are best since they protect your sight by filtering out the UVA rays of the sun that can cause glaucoma and some other eye diseases.
Schedule an exam in the future. A lot of people simply aren’t visiting their eye doctor as regularly as they should. You should have your vision checked at least once in your twenties and then twice in your thirties, but that’s only if you don’t have history or symptoms of vision problems.
If you are a smoker, then it is time to quit. You may already know that smoking causes lung damage, but you may not have known that it can cause damage to your eyes, too. Eye disease is more common among smokers. When you quit smoking, you drastically reduce your chances of developing certain eye diseases.
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.
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.
Go to the eye doctor on a regular basis to check for any inconsistencies that may disrupt your vision and impact the quality of your sight. If you have any problems, this doctor can give you contacts or glasses you so that you are not squinting during the day, which can cause painful migraine headaches.
If you blink more than normal, it might be an eye problem. If dry eyes are not your problem, you might have a nervous tic because of stress. Relaxation therapy can be beneficial for you. If you can rule out that it is a tic, consult an ophthalmologist.
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.
If you want your eyes to look and feel their best, drink lots of water. The more hydrated you are, the less you will suffer from dark circles. Hydrated skin doesn’t allow the blood vessels to show, ensuring that your raccoon eyes (dark circles) become a thing of the past.
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.
As you get older, it is natural for your eyes to dry out more often. You can help eliminate this issue with omega-3 fatty acids. Also, avoid extreme temperatures. Be sure the vents of your car heater or air conditioner are not pointed toward your eyes. This also applies at work and at home.
Always wear sunglasses outdoors. Many people mistakenly believe that sunglasses are only for days out at the beach or if the sun is particularly glaring. The truth is that UV rays are harmful to eyes. They can cause eye cancer, corneal burns, and even cataracts. Whenever you will be outside, grab a pair of sunglasses.
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.
People often don’t realize how much they rely on their vision until they have a problem with it. Fortunately it is fairly easy to take good care of your eyes. By using the tips you learned here, it is possible to keep your vision in top shape for many years to come.