Protect Your Eye Health

Protecting your eyesight and regular eye exams are an essential part of maintaining your quality of life. Here are five simple things you can do to help preserve your vision.

1. Stop smoking

It is no secret that smoking is strongly linked to many health problems; however, did you know that it can damage your eyes and vision health? Smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Also, smoking increases your risk for diabetes and its many complications, including new blood vessel growth, diabetic retinopathy, and permanent vision loss. Cigarette smoke can also irritate your eyes and cause dry eyes. This can cause general discomfort and make wearing contacts uncomfortable.

2. Eat Well

Optimally functioning eyes require a wide assortment of nutrients. Specific vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and E, are instrumental in protecting your eyesight and can be found in brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Your eyes also need antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, to protect against sun damage. Dark leafy greens, egg yolks, and yellow peppers are dense with these antioxidants.

3. Exercise

Physical exercise is an essential part of maintaining your overall physical health. Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure, release tension, and reduce diabetes and heart disease risk. It can also be highly beneficial for your eyes. Research has shown that regular exercise lowers your likelihood of developing some severe eye conditions, including reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration by nearly 70 percent. Also, physical exercise can reduce pressure and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. This may help slow general vision loss from diseases such as glaucoma.

4. Go to Sleep

Getting quality sleep is essential for your eyesight. It helps prevent your eyes from drying out and being overly strained. Sleep allows your body to recover and heal from the previous day. This is especially important if you spend most of your day sitting at a computer or looking at electronic screens. Aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night to counteract some of the strain you put on your eyes throughout the day.

5. Turn off the Computer

Most people spend many hours staring at a computer screen or alternative electronic device in today’s online world. However, technology can cause permanent damage to your eyes. Spending too much time staring at electronic screens can cause discomfort, including dry eyes and eye strain. For many people, it can even cause persistent tension headaches. Although it is difficult to turn away from screens entirely in this day and age, you can protect your eyes from excessive strain by looking away from your screen for a few minutes every hour to give your eye muscles a break.