Your eyesight is very important. If you don’t take care of your eyes, then you could end up going blind. Losing one’s eyesight can be a terrifying experience. More and more people are losing some or all of their eyesight today, mainly because they are not taking good care of their eyes.
Taking care of your eyes is not difficult, though, so there’s really no excuse for not doing it. If you are somebody who is concerned about their eye health, then this post is for you. Here are some tips on how to keep your vision in good order.
Opticians Visits
You should visit the optician at least twice a year. Bi-annual check-ups will give your opticians an opportunity to identify and catch any diseases or eye conditions early. Conditions like diabetes can also cause serious damage to the eyes. Opticians can actually diagnose diabetes by taking scans of your eye’s optic nerve. If they do see the signs of diabetes, then they will refer you to the hospital immediately. Opticians’ appointments can be expensive, though, so unless there’s an emergency, twice a year should suffice.
Buying Glasses
If your eyesight isn’t as sharp as it used to be, then consider visiting the optician and getting a pair of glasses. At the opticians, the optician will test your eyes and tell you whether you need to get prescription lenses or not. The optician will be able to tell you in a single appointment whether or not they’re necessary. You won’t have to go back for follow-ups unless they find something seriously wrong with your eyes. If they do identify any issues, they will probably refer you to an ophthalmologist at your local hospital. Glasses are usually very cheap when bought from the optician, provided that you do not select a designer brand. Most opticians have their own budget lines, available to people with restricted incomes.
Wear Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s also an important way to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. UV rays can cause damage to the delicate tissues of your eyes, leading to problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Make it a habit to wear sunglasses whenever you’re outside for extended periods of time. Be sure to choose sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever possible.
Blocking Blue Light
Blue light is something that you always need to watch out for. It’s something you’re being exposed to right now, as you are reading this. It is produced by mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices with screens. Scientific studies have shown that blue light can be very bad for our eyes. While blue light cannot blind people, it can cause eye fatigue and dry eye, two conditions that can damage the health of the eye. Blue light is easily blocked though. All you need to do is to invest in a pair of anti-blue light glasses and wear them whenever you are using a device with a screen.
Limiting Screen Use
Even when you are using anti-blue light glasses, it’s still vital that you limit your screen time. We live in an age where we’re surrounded by screens—from televisions and computers to smartphones and tablets. All these devices can be damaging if you spend too long looking at them without taking breaks. If you find yourself spending hours on end staring at one screen or another, take regular breaks throughout the day. Every 20 minutes or so, look away from the screen for a few seconds before coming back to it. This will give your eyes a chance to relax and rest.
Getting Sleep
Make sure that you get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can lead to conditions like dry eye and eye fatigue becoming manifest. Again, both of these conditions can be very bad for your eyes. In addition to being bad for your eyes, they can be bad for your mental health. Not getting enough sleep will impact your ability to function on a daily basis. If you cannot function properly (because you haven’t been getting enough sleep) then you won’t be able to enjoy your life or perform well at work.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is vital. As mentioned earlier, diabetes can cause serious damage to your eyes. Diabetes is a disease that’s usually caused or made worse by bad lifestyle choices. An unhealthy diet that’s high in sugar and carbohydrates can contribute to the development of diabetes. Once you have diabetes, it can never be reversed. Make sure that you eat as healthily as you can. In order to start eating a more healthy diet, begin incorporating more whole foods into it and try to eat as much fruit and vegetables as you can. Avoid processed foods, as these can be very bad for your health.
Eat Eye-Friendly Foods
Eating foods that are good for your eyes is one of the best ways to keep your vision in good shape. Vitamins A, C, and E are all essential for healthy eyes, so make sure you’re getting enough of these vitamins through food sources such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep your eyes in top condition, so be sure to include plenty of fish such as salmon or tuna in your diet.
Exercise
Finally, exercising regularly is important. Exercise has been proven to reduce stress and improve mental health. When your mental health is good, you will be less likely to suffer from eye conditions like dry eye and fatigue. In addition to this, exercise helps keep the body’s blood vessels healthy, which in turn helps keep the eyes healthy too. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day; it doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, as long as it gets your heart rate up. Walking or running are both great options if you want something low-impact but effective.
In Conclusion
Your eyes are something you need to take a lot of care of. Not taking care of your eyes could lead to you losing some or all of your sight. Follow the tips outlined above, and you should be able to keep your vision in good order. Make sure that you visit the optician at least twice a year, limit your screen time, get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. All of these things will help keep your eyes healthy. Don’t take your eyesight for granted, and make sure you look after yourself. Good luck!
