Each of the five senses in the human body is important in its way. 80% of all stimuli may be perceived through our eyes, making our vision the most dominating sense. Without healthy eyes, how would you be able to see this beautiful world?
As a result, maintaining excellent eye health is critical, as it can have a significant impact on not just your health but your finances too. The prices for everything are on the rise today, and eye care isn’t behind. If you take care of your eyes right from the start, you will not have to venture here and there to get them tested or treated!
If you follow these basic but practical eye care guidelines, you may be able to keep your eyes healthy and preserve your eyesight forever. We’ve put up a list of some of the best ways to keep your eyes healthy as you get older.
8 tips for healthy eyes
Keep your eyes safe from the sun’s UV rays
UV radiation from the sun can burn your skin, but did you know it can also damage your eyes? Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause various eye health issues, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal burns. Your eyelids may become infected with skin cancer as a result.
Sunglasses with UVA and UVB ray-blocking properties should always be worn outside, even if it’s cloudy. There is no need to spend a lot of money on effective sunglasses. Check the label to discover how much protection from the sun they provide. It’s essential to keep in mind that some surfaces (like concrete) reflect UV rays more than others. Hats and umbrellas can help protect your eyes from damaging UV rays.
Wear sunglasses always
UV radiation can cause damage to your eyes in the same way that it does to your skin. The cumulative effects can result in cataracts, corneal burns, and even eyelid cancer. Wear sunglasses or contacts that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays whenever you’re outside – even on cloudy days. Protective lenses do not have to be costly; simply read the label. Hats also protect from the sun. Snow, water, sand, and concrete all can reflect ultraviolet light.
Use screen time responsibly
Using a computer, tablet, television, or smartphone screen for extended periods may induce eye fatigue and eye strain. Screens emit blue light, which can harm your eyes. When logging screen time, adhere to the 20-20-20 guidelines. To put it another way, take a break of 20 seconds and look at something else that is 20 feet away for every 20 minutes you spend staring into the screen. Take care of your posture while working on the screen. You may get a hunchback or a stiff back if you do not move around or do any form of stretching.
Monitors should be at eye level or slightly lower to avoid eye strain and headaches. Sit at a distance of around 25 inches from the display. Make sure the lighting in your computer room is suitable. The use of screen filters can help reduce glare.
Nourish your eyes
This is a tried-and-true method of keeping your eyes healthy that has stood the test of time. It is possible to eat certain foods that will improve your vision and slow the effects of aging. Make sure that your diet contains –
- Oily fishes high in omega three fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, herring, and other similar species, are recommended.
- There are many different kinds of seeds and nuts to choose from, including walnuts, brazil nuts, peanuts, cashews, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds.
- Carrots, red peppers, squash, and yellow bell pepper are examples of orange in color.
- Eggs, soybeans, milk products, and other sources of vegetarian protein are also good options.
- You should consume as many leafy green veggies as possible such as spinach, Fenugreek, kale, and collard greens.
A nutritious diet also lowers your risks of getting fat or developing diabetes or hypertension, which are significant contributors to vision difficulties in adults.
Eye examinations should be performed regularly
At the very least, you should see an ophthalmologist or an optometrist once a year. They will likely administer a number of tests to evaluate how powerful your eyesight is and how healthy your vision is. Once your test results are out, the ophthalmologist will give you a new pair of lenses or any medications you may require.
Myopia is becoming increasingly common, particularly among children. Maintaining a regular schedule of eye checkups is the most effective approach to protect yourself against myopia. Regular eye examinations can also help prevent eye problems such as cataracts, retinal detachment, and glaucoma, all of which are extremely dangerous to one’s vision.
Avoid smoking
If you thought that smoking was only harmful to your lungs, you would be surprised to know that it can also cause cataracts. It has the potential to harm your optic nerve and lead to macular degeneration. If you are addicted to smoking and find it impossible to quit yourself, seek help from a therapist.
Cigarette smoking raises the risk of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome, among other things.
Smoking can also cause Uveitis, which is an inflammation of the central layer of the eyeball. According to studies, smokers are 2.2 times more likely than non-smokers to suffer from vision degeneration due to smoking.
Take care of your vision
Don’t let your eyesight be a source of misery. Antihistamines or calming eyedrops might help relieve itchy, red eyes. Applying cold compresses to your eyes can help alleviate symptoms. Rinse your eyes with clean water or a saline solution made for the eyes to remove dust and grime. See your ophthalmologist immediately if you notice eye pain, edema, discharges, or unusual sensitivity to light. Your eye doctor should be seen immediately if you notice any changes in your vision, such as flashes of light, dark floating patches, or partial vision loss.
Exercise for eyes
Make it a habit of performing a simple eye exercise at regular intervals. Look at something far away for 15 seconds, then look at something closer for another 15 seconds. Repeat this cycle a total of four to five times.
Ensure that your eyes are protected from unneeded strain and discomfort by doing this regularly.
Monitor the side effects of medication
Vision can be affected by various drugs, including beta-blockers, statins, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, and sleep aids. Keep an eye out for how you feel if your doctor has prescribed a drug for you. Be aware of any possible adverse effects and notify your doctor as soon as possible. Medications can cause a wide range of visual distortions and eye problems, from moderate to severe. Drugs can cause dry, wet, irritated eyes; sensitivity to light; fuzzy vision; double vision; eye puffiness; and droopy eyelids.
Conclusion
Eyes are precious, and the ones who don’t have eyesight know about them. Hence, we all must take care of our eyes as much as possible and practice little things to give our eyes the rest they deserve and not undervalue our health. You must also be aware of your previous health history at any cost. You may not realize, but sometimes, certain health conditions that you have but aren’t aware of can significantly impact your eyesight. So, always be knowledgeable and attentive to everything happening in your body to have good health and a good life!
