Eyes are very important. We all know that. But how many of us actually do something to maintain healthy eyes? In truth, the majority of people don’t do anything at all to maintain eye health unless something is wrong. That is not ideal. If you’re also concerned about eye health then it’s time to pay attention.
We’re going to give you 5 tips for optimal eye health. For more specific help, we recommend getting in touch with a professional from a reputable institution such as the Chicago eye institute.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist can help detect any potential eye problems early on and ensure optimal vision health.
Eye exams will also tell you what conditions you have, if any, and how to fix them before it’s too late. Some conditions, such as keratoconus, can take up to 40 years to manifest properly. Then they need to be corrected with a cross linking eye surgery, which isn’t a permanent fix.
In fact, a variety of illnesses and conditions need expensive surgeries late into adulthood. Finding out about these issues earlier can help you take steps to mitigate some of the risks or prevent symptoms altogether.
2. Protect Eyes from UV Rays
Whereas a lot of us think about protecting our face with the help of sunscreens, it’s easy to forget about the eyes.
Make it a habit to wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection whenever you’re exposed to sunlight. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions.
Don’t just buy any sunglasses. Sunglasses with a rating of at least UV400 provide roughly 100% protection from harmful rays of up to 400 nm wavelength.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet & Lifestyle
A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can directly support eye health. This includes leafy greens, fish, citrus fruits, and nuts. Proper hygiene, however, does more than just that. It helps a bunch of bodily functions indirectly, which, in turn, lead to better eyes and vision.
For example, one of the leading causes of loss of vision or eye impairments is advancement in age. Tissues don’t repair as fast and a lot of connections become weaker with muscular degeneration. It’s in these times that you need expensive surgery to fix issues with your eyesight.
A nutritious and well-balanced diet can be a good preventive measure that can fend off the problems of advanced age for longer.
You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise. Staying fit is the solution to the majority of advanced-age problems. Apart from that, proper hydration is essential for maintaining eye health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dry eyes.
And never skip on rest! Getting a good night’s sleep allows your eyes to rest and rejuvenate.
4. Take Regular Breaks from Screens
Extended periods of screen time can cause eye strain and fatigue. Follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
If there’s redness, irritation, or a burning sensation in your eyes then it might be due to a largely sedentary lifestyle where you have to fixate on a digital screen inches away from your eyes for long hours. We suggest you get an eye exam Chicago done to find out any issues your eyes might be having so you can take preventive measures before they become too serious.
5. Ensure Proper Lighting
Ensure adequate lighting when reading, working, or performing tasks that require visual concentration. Avoid excessive glare and make sure the lighting is suitable for the activity.
Well-lit environments make sure there’s no excessive strain on the eyes. It’s considered normal to scroll through your phone with the lights off when going to bed. That’s a habit that can lead to irreparable damage to the eyes.
Get a side lamp or some other form of ambient light—A simple search online will give you plenty of low-light options such as ambient light rods or LED strips that can be both, a beautiful integration and good for the night owls.
Wrapping Up
The eyes are one of the most neglected parts of our body. People tend to care for internal and external body parts significantly more than they do for their eyes. We take our vision for granted. It would be justified too, if only eyes weren’t so important.
The fact is that the eyes are one of the most important parts of our body. Without sight, none of the other body parts would function as they do.
Hopefully, our attempt to summarize eye health in 5 easy-to-follow tips will improve your eye health! But remember—It’s not the actual activity that’s more important but your commitment to it. A lot of people start going to the gym, start a new diet, or begin a new hobby only to abandon it in a month.
If you don’t stick to these tips and make them part of your routine, you’re not going to get any remarkable long-term effects. We recommend following these tips and working on your eye care regimen for at least three weeks religiously, with conviction and reminders. After that, your body will naturally acclimatize, most probably, and continuing will be much easier.