Eye care is so important, and the eyes are so fragile. Indeed, at the same time they are fragile, they need to be properly maintained in order for you to keep seeing into your old age. The following advice is going to educate you concerning eye care so that you’re not left in the dark.
Don’t smoke. You probably already know that there are many serious dangers related to cigarette smoking. One of the less-known dangers is developing Age-related Macular Degeneration(AMD). Several scientific studies have shown that the patients who did smoke were much more likely to develop AMD than those who didn’t smoke. Just another reason not to start smoking or to quit today.
Sunglasses are important to wear year-round, even in the winter. Snow can reflect a great deal of light. Even if there isn’t any snow, the sun radiates enough light to damage your eyes.
Eat a healthy diet to help take care of your eyes. Certain foods, particularly those high in vitamins C and E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes as you age. Aim for green leafy vegetables, “oily” fish, beans, eggs, nuts, and citrus foods for best results.
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.
If you work for long periods of time on a computer, protect your eyes by taking frequent breaks. You might have noticed that your eyes often feel strained, tired and itchy during regular working hours. This is probably a good indication that you’re over working them. Get up and stretch for a few minutes, offering your eyes some time away from the screen.
People who wear contacts need to take particularly good care of their eyes. While contacts are very useful for vision, if the materials are not properly cleaned and maintained, it can be potentially damaging to eyes. Make sure your contacts are the right prescription and that you follow all instructions provided by your health care professional.
You need to know about any family history of eye disease. Many conditions are hereditary, so knowing about them can help the doctor help you. Talk with the older members of your family to get a good picture.
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.
Don’t strain the eyes for too long. When you strain your vision and focus on something, such as a computer or television screen, you typically forget to blink as much as you should. When you don’t blink enough, it means your eyes are getting the lubrication they need, which can lead to more serious problems.
Don’t smoke. Along with other things, smoking can really damage your eyes. It can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Not only that, but it is harmful in other ways to other areas of your body. If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, keep trying, it will be worth it when you are successful.
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.
Never share eye makeup with anyone. Bacteria can transfer from one person to another when eye makeup is shared. This can lead to eye irritation and other problems. At the cosmetic counter, avoid using sample products if it has been opened and used by other people already. Ask for a clean sample if available.
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.
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.
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!
People who have allergies often have red and itchy eyes. Be careful to avoid rubbing them because that will only make the problem worse. If you have seasonal allergies you can take medication to prevent the symptoms, and you can also use allergen-reducing eye drops. Make sure to follow the directions for the eye drops to avoid future problems.
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.
What is your next move concerning eye care? Surely after reading this advice, you’re about to make an appointment with an eye doctor. Use the tips that have been discussed so that you can avoid any eye problems that may arise. While you can’t stop everything from happening, you can help yourself have a much better chance of keeping those eye issues away.