10 Eye Care Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier

 

The single most important eye care tip to keep in mind is to get your eyes checked. Many eye diseases will have no symptoms at all, and visiting a professional is the only way to get a true snapshot of the health of your vision. In general, an adult should go to the eye doctor every 2-3 years or so. Of course, make sure you have a high-quality vision insurance plan to help with the costs.

 

Protect Yourself From UV Damage

While most of us love a nice sunny day, it can also be very dangerous to our eyes. Many of us wear sunglasses as a fashion statement, but they are also incredibly important for maintaining healthy eyes. The UV rays from the sun can lead to several harmful eye-related issues, as well as simply make them hurt over time. A good pair of UV protection glasses can make you much more comfortable and keep your eyes in tip-top shape.

 

Eat a Good Diet

A good diet is great for the health of your entire body, including your eyes. A well-balanced diet can do wonders for helping you care for your eyes over the years. In particular, foods with vitamin E, zinc, vitamin C and omega-3s are the best at keeping your eyes strong and in better health. These nutrients are often found in things like fish, and several types of fruits and veggies.

 

Reduce Blue Light Exposure

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Many of the devices we use, such as tablets, phones and computers, give off what is known as blue light. It can be quite bright and after a while, this light can irritate your eyes, make them dry and even give you blurry vision. With most of us spending many hours in front of screens, we need to find ways to reduce our exposure to this light. Thankfully, by taking breaks, wearing blue-light-blocking glasses or using software or apps that tone the light of your devices down, you can help reduce this exposure easier than ever.

 

Stop Smoking

While there are plenty of reasons to stop smoking, one of the biggest is because of the damage it can do to your eyes. Smoking increases your likelihood of having to deal with things like cataracts, macular degeneration and other potentially serious issues. Smoking can also make the area around your eyes excessively dry, which is far from comfortable to deal with.

 

Wear Protective Eyewear

Wearing protective eyewear is another tip to keep your eyes in good shape. Even if you don’t think the activity you are doing warrants it, you are better safe than sorry. Now, this doesn’t mean you always need to walk around with eye protection, but when you do anything that carries a bit more of a risk, it is a smart idea to have them. This can include many different jobs, hobbies and even some sports.

Stop Rubbing Your Eyes So Much

Many of us have a tendency to rub our eyes. While it might feel good at the time, it’s generally not recommended. Our hands are generally quite filthy and full of germs, and rubbing your eyes with them is introducing those same germs into your eyes. Also, if you are rubbing them very frequently a little too hard, you could actually hurt them. Any time you are touching your eye area, always do it gently and make sure your hands are clean.

 

Know Potential Warning Signs

Another tip is to be aware of the warning signs of eye issues. This can include floaters, hazy vision, and constant swelling or pain around the eye. While these don’t automatically mean something major is happening, it is a good idea to visit an eye doctor so they can investigate further. Of course, not all potential eye issues will come with warning signs. That is why it is important to go to the optometrist frequently to make sure things are okay.

Be Very Careful With Contacts

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Contacts are a great way for people to be able to see clearly without having to fuss with glasses. However, if you’re not careful, they can be dangerous. Dirty hands, or improperly storing your contacts can lead to a world of problems. So if you wear contacts, be sure to put them in carefully, remember to take them out, and ensure your hands are clean before you get started. Follow the provided guidelines on your prescription for safe usage in order to achieve the best results.

 

Check Your Family History

While this is a bit of a different tip, it is still important nonetheless. Many eye diseases and issues can be hereditary in nature, so if some people in your family have had eye-related problems, you might be at risk for the same. If you discover your family has indeed had eye issues, it is a good idea to talk about that with your doctor to get ahead of the issue if possible.

Caring for your eyes and keeping your vision healthy is incredibly important. The 10 tips included in this article will help ensure your eyes stay in good shape and remain healthy as you age.