Ever enjoyed little things in life? Like watching a pretty sunset or watching a loved one smile? Who doesn’t? However, none of this can be a reality without God’s wondrous gift- a pair of eyes. Nonetheless, we take our eyes for granted.
Yes, no doubt each of these senses is useful in its way, but did you know vision is used to interpret approximately 80% of all sensations.
Keeping our eyes healthy should be a practice to avoid diseases and also improve our life experiences. Focusing on your eye care now will go a long way towards protecting your eyesight in the later years of your life.
While not all eye conditions are preventable, there are some easy measures that anyone can take to reduce their risk of loss of vision in the future.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired, and about 80% of these cases could have been very easily avoided or cured.
Related Post: Importance of Eye Vitamins, Supplements, and 5 Amazing Tips- How to care for your eyes.
Here are 20 tips to keep your eyes healthy
1. Avoid Too Much Exposure To Computer Screens
In addition to triggering pain in the neck, back, and shoulders, looking at a computer/phone screen for an extended period may harm your eye health. The blue light emitted by the various digital screens causes long term Retina Damage. The constant re-focusing while working on a computer also can adversely affect one’s vision. Nearsightedness is one of the most common symptoms and problems.
Excessive exposure to computer/phone screens can cause get in the way of keeping your eyes healthy.
- Strain in the eyes
- Dry Eyes
- Hazy vision
- Long-distance concentration problems
Gazing a screen for an extended period will dry our eyes and accumulate dead cells in the eyes that can cause visual impairment.
Who needs that? Ditch the screens and grab a book instead.
2. Refrain From Rubbing Your Eyes
Surprisingly, many of us subconsciously end up rubbing our eyes quite often. This can prove to be very harmful for your eyes.
This is because it can seriously damage the tiny blood vessels beneath the surface of the eyes.
Moreover, your hands are infested with a slew of germs that cause various diseases and infections. Germs from your hands are transferred to your eyes, causing itchiness and redness in the eyes.
So let’s start breaking this bad habit. But if you can’t, make sure to keep your hands as clean as possible.
3. Wear Sunglasses
Think again if you ever thought sunglasses were just another fashion accessory. Well, not anymore! From protecting your eyes from extreme heat, dust, and pollution to blocking out the sun’s harmful UV rays, today’s sunglasses can do it all.
The right pair might also help avoid cataracts, macular degeneration, and pinguecula. In addition, UV safety sunglasses promise to block 99-100% of harmful rays. If you’re curious, UV safety contact lenses are also available.
4. Limit Your Coffee Consumption
If the idea of a steaming cup in front of you every afternoon is too much to resist, consider substituting green tea for coffee. Green tea is an excellent source of Catechins. In addition, other antioxidants (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zeaxanthin, and lutein) help protect against various eye problems, cataracts and AMD.
5. Vitamins and supplements are your friends
Improving your diet and lifestyle, paired with eye Vitamins and supplements can enhance the quality of your life.
6. Heard of eye exercises?
Simple eye exercises like moving your eyes up and down or sideways can help you train your eye muscles and make them stronger.
7. Update Your Eye Prescription Regularly
Regular eye checkups ensure that any anomaly is noticed and thus regulated before it is too late. Keeping your prescription further guarantees that any fluctuations in the power of spectacles are diagnosed and thus avoiding future discomfort. This helps keep your eyes healthy and give you a sharp vision.
8. Consult An Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor) Regularly
Never dismiss a routine eye test. Since your eyes are one of the most sophisticated organs in your body, they need specialised treatment.
Only an eye doctor would do so correctly by applying expertise, experience, equipment, and techniques. Therefore, doctors recommend a thorough eye test should be performed at least every two years.
9. Consider Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
We are constantly glued to screens. As a result, our eyes suffer the adverse effects of blue light emission and using special glasses that protect our eyes is the least we can do. But especially for those exposed to screens for long hours, blue light-blocking glasses can keep your eyes healthy.
10. Take 15-minute Breaks Every 2 Hours
A 15-minute break will help you rejuvenate and increase your productivity while giving your precious eyes the needed break from staring at the computer or smartphone screen.
Don’t blame your eye strain solely on computer and phone displays. When reading for a prolonged period, books and written documents may also trigger eyestrain. So, raise your head, turn away from the computer and mobile screens, and blink your eyes for a few seconds to ease the pressure.
11. Follow the 20-20-20 Law
You should try to rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will prevent drying out and avoid exertion of your eyes and keep your eyes healthy.
12. Avoid Reading in Poor Light
Low light can put unnecessary stress on your eyes. So try to do all your reading in a well-lit space and ensure that your study room is equipped with comfortable lighting.
13. Stick To Non-Harming Makeup Products
Heavy and unwashed eye makeup can also cause damage, especially if you are not consistent with your eye care routine. Make sure to check your makeup products regularly for expiry as harmful bacteria may live in the most unexpected places and ways. Also, make sure to switch to using certified and organic brands to beautify your eyes while maintaining eye health.
14. Take Caution with Your Contacts
Of course, we’re not talking about contacts saved in your phone’s contact list; we’re referring to your contact lenses. If you wish to keep your eyes healthy and disease-free, obey the prescription instructions given by your doctor when treating your contact lenses.
15. Be Vigilant For Signs Of Eye Problems
Visiting your eye doctor routinely is a good habit to develop, but don’t rely solely on it; your eye health is at stake. Maintain vigilance for your eyesight and keep an eye out for any improvements in your vision.
Such warning flags to watch out for are:
- Perplexed vision
- Double vision
- In low-light situations, you can have difficulty seeing.
- Red eyes for extended periods
- Constant pain and swelling in the eyes
16. Healthy diet keeps eyes healthy
Yes, it all begins with food. Nutrient-rich foods such as vitamin C and E, calcium, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids protect the eyes from age-related eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration and keep your vision healthy. The following foods are considered excellent for eye health.
Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables like spinach, peas, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
Fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons, grapefruits and oranges
Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel
Non Meat protein sources: Eggs, nuts and beans
17. Stay Hydrated
When it comes to dry eyes, dehydration may also be a factor. The human body is highly reliant on water to work efficiently. If you are not aware of your body’s fluid level, tear production in your eyes is altered, as well as a slew of other problems resulting in dry eyes. Simply staying hydrated will keep your eyes healthy.
18. Fresh Air
The advantages of fresh air should not be limited to the lungs and the heart, but our Corneas derive their needed oxygen content directly from the air. The corneas specifically lack a stipulated oxygen supply system. So ensure your eyes get plenty of fresh air.
19. Quit or Limit Smoking
Haven’t you been able to stop smoking yet? Do you need additional motivation? What about not getting cataracts, macular degeneration, uveitis (along with various other health issues)? Research shows, smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop these crippling eye conditions.
20. Sleep Well
If you regularly miss your sleep, your eyes will suffer as well. Adequate sleep means that the eyes are rested and free of pressure.
Parting Thoughts
You may not think of washing your hands, eating vegetables, or watching your weight as essential steps toward keeping your eyes healthy, but they all play a part. Although they cannot guarantee protection from any eye issues, a healthy lifestyle and shielding your eyes from sun and dust can be of great help. However, they can all reduce the chances of having a problem that would impair your vision.