Protect your eyesight with these six tips:
1. Eat for Good Vision
Protecting your eyes starts with the food on your
plate. Studies have shown that nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids,
lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E may help ward off age-related vision
problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Regularly eating
these foods can help lead to good eye health:
- Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards
- Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
- Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources
- Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices
Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you maintain a
healthy weight, which makes you less likely to get obesity-related
diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of
blindness in adults.
2. Quit Smoking for Better Eyesight
Smoking makes you more likely to get cataracts,
optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration. If you've tried to quit
smoking before and started smoking again, keep trying. Studies show that
the more times you try to quit smoking, the more likely you are to
succeed.
3. Wear Sunglasses for Good Vision
The right kind of sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Too much UV exposure makes you more likely to get cataracts and macular degeneration.
Choose sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA
and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side.
Polarized lenses reduce glare when driving.
If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It's still a good idea to wear sunglasses for more protection.
4. Use Safety Eyewear at Home, at Work, and While Playing Sports
If you work with hazardous or airborne materials at work or home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles every time.
Certain sports such as ice hockey, racquetball, and
lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection (such as
helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate
lenses) to shield your eyes.
5. Look Away From the Computer for Good Eye Health
Staring at a computer screen can cause:
- Eyestrain
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty focusing at a distance
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Neck, back, and shoulder pain
Protect your eye health by taking the following steps:
- Make sure your glasses or contact lens prescription is up-to-date and adequate for computer use.
- Some people may need glasses to help with contrast, glare, and eye strain when using a computer.
- Position your computer so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. This allows you to look slightly down at the screen.
- Try to avoid glare on your computer from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
- Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
- If your eyes are dry, blink more.
- Every 20 minutes, rest your eyes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds. At least every two hours, get up and take a 15-minute break.
6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly
Everyone, even young children, should get their eyes
examined regularly. It helps you protect your sight and make sure that
you are seeing your best.
Eye exams can also find some eye diseases, such as
glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It's important to find these diseases
in their early stages, when they're easier to treat. Depending on your
eye health needs, you can see either an optometrist or an
ophthalmologist for an eye exam. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors
who specialize in eye care. They can provide general eye care, treat eye
diseases, and perform eye surgery. Optometrists have had four years of
specialized training after college. They provide general eye care and
treat the most common eye diseases. They do not perform eye surgery.
A comprehensive eye exam may include:
- Talking about your personal and family medical history
- Taking vision tests to see if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism (a curved cornea that blurs vision), or presbyopia (age-related vision changes)
- Tests to see how well your eyes work together
- Eye pressure and optic nerve tests to determine if you have glaucoma
- External and microscopic examination of your eyes before and after dilation
You may also need other tests, depending upon your particular case.
