7 Eye Care Tips For Maintaining Good Eyesight

As you age, your eyesight will likely begin to get worse. This will happen to most people, but not for the same reasons.

Genetics plays a large role in the health of your eyes over your lifetime. However, habits and choices can also play a part. Bad habits can make your eyes age early even if you have a family history of strong vision. In the same way, good habits may protect you from early vision loss.

Below, you’ll learn seven of the habits that you can start practicing right now to protect your vision.

Schedule Regular Vision Checkups

One of the most important things you can do for your vision is schedule regular checkups. Many eye problems don’t cause pain or irritation until they’re already advanced. You may only be able to catch conditions early if you have your eyes examined by a professional.

Eye exams can help you in other ways as well. For example, updating your glasses prescription can reduce strain on your eyes caused by poor vision. Your eye doctor can also recommend treatments for problems you may be experiencing. It’s wise to treat vision problems as soon as possible to avoid further harm.

Use the Right Eyewear for the Situation

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Protective eyewear is available for a wide variety of situations. It exists because your eyes are at special risk when you’re engaging in certain activities. 

First, when you’re in the sun, you should wear sunglasses. Dark shades aren’t just a timeless fashion accessory, they’re essential to protecting your eyes from the bright sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight can strain your eyes and lead to early deterioration.

You should also be wearing protective eyewear when you’re engaging in any sports that involve fast movement and heavy forces. For example, there are a lot of ways your eyes can be injured during sports like water skiing or sky diving.

A range of protective eyewear also exists for professions that involve intense light, heat, or flying objects. You should always use protective goggles when involved in work like construction, welding, or machining.

Eat Foods That Promote Eye Health

The right dietary choices can help keep your eyes in top shape. Diet plays an important role because your eyes need specific nutrients in order to repair damage or replace old cells. A balanced diet that includes all of the following foods will help you ensure that you have the nutrients you need:

• Leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach
• Oily fish, including tuna
• Vitamin-E rich foods such as carrots
• High-protein foods such as eggs, nuts, and beans
• Citrus fruits 

Ask your eye doctor for recommendations of foods that promote eye health and are available near you.

Avoid Expired Facial Products

You have to be careful with anything you put near your eyes. Facial products such as makeup are frequently placed near the eyes. If there are contaminants in it, your eyes may be in danger.

Most store-bought facial products are safe for your eyes when they’re used correctly. However, one danger that many people ignore is contaminants that can form when these products expire. Always check the expiration dates on makeup and throw them out when they’re no longer in a safe range.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

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You may end up touching your eyes a lot more often than you think. Simple motions like drying your eyes with a finger or rubbing your eyelids can bring you into contact with germs on the surface of your skin.

Your eyes are far more sensitive to germs than your skin. Even minor contact with some germs can cause eye infections. To minimize this risk, make sure that you’re washing your hands as often as possible. Take special care after touching public surfaces.

Take Screen Breaks Often

If you work with screens all day, you may be causing your eyes a lot of strain. Most monitors, TV displays, and even mobile devices emit a significant amount of blue light. This light can tire your eyes if you aren’t taking regular breaks. 

Taking a break is simple. Get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every hour if you can. If you aren’t in a job where you can do this easily, you can still relax your eyes by closing them for up to 60 seconds every hour.

Treat Pain and Irritation as Soon as Possible

Pain and irritation around your eyes can be common. These symptoms can occur because your eyes are dry, or because they’ve been exposed to something irritating in the air. Often, these symptoms will clear up on their own with the use of eye drops or minor pain relievers.

When your eyes don’t respond to these simple treatments, you should schedule a checkup with an eye doctor as soon as possible. Pain may be a symptom of a serious problem. Addressing it quickly will give you the best chance of avoiding long-term damage.

Protect Your Eyesight for Years to Come

By following these tips, you can protect your eyesight for as long as possible. Remember that you need to schedule vision checkups regularly to ensure that your eyes are healthy. You should always wear the right eyewear for the situation to prevent strain and injuries.

There are also a lot of habits that you can follow in your daily life. Eating the right foods, disposing of expired facial products, washing your hands, and taking screen breaks can all contribute to healthy vision.

Finally, always take steps to treat pain and irritation as soon as it appears.