Eye Health: 6 Effective Tips to Maintain Healthy Vision
6 Effective Tips to Maintain Healthy Vision
They say that the eyes are the mirror of the soul. If that’s the case, what do you think dry, tired or red eyes say about you? I’ll tell you what: you need to take better care of your eye health!
Regular visits to the eye doctor and eye exams are important if you want to maintain your healthy vision but there are also other ways to improve your eyesight and prevent minor issues from affecting your quality of life. Here are 6 effective tips to keep your eyes healthy and sparkling.
Make sure you get plenty of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as the mineral zinc, can contribute significantly to the health of your eyes. They contain powerful antioxidants that protect against cell damage. Your diet should be your main source of vitamins and minerals, so try to consume fruits and vegetables that pack these important nutrients, such as:
- carrots (no surprise here, we’ve all been told: “Eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes”)
- red peppers
- spinach
- strawberries
- citrus
- zucchini
Sometimes, these eye health vitamins and minerals cannot be obtained from diet alone. That’s where supplements come in. Vitamin B1, for instance, is essential for your eyes. Combined with other vitamins, vitamin B1 can reduce the risk of cataract.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are also key nutrients that can be taken in supplement form. These carotenoids improve your retina and prevent ultraviolet and blue light from damaging your eyes. Omega 3-fatty acids supplements such as this one are also efficient in reducing inflammation and helping the development of your retinal cells.
Stay in shape
You might not see any connection between your weight and your eye health, but let me assure you, there is one. According to the National Institutes of Health, “obesity has been found to be a risk factor in cataracts, with cortical cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts have been most consistently associated with obesity.”
More than that, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes which in turn, can lead to diabetic retinopathy. This condition affects the small arteries in your eyes, which ultimately, damage your vision.
Therefore, it’s essential that you manage your weight and stay in shape so that you can avoid complications and maintain a healthy vision throughout your life. With gyms out of the question right now, you can try this easy and efficient home workout!
Exercise your eyes
It’s not only your body that needs exercise, it’s your eyes as well. If you want to maintain a healthy vision and also get rid of those annoying eye floaters, try these exercises in the morning, before going to bed or any other time your eyes feel tired:
- Warm your eyes. Generate heat by rubbing your palms together and place them over your eyes for a few seconds. This heated steam eye mask might also do the trick for your dry or tired eyes.
- Roll your eyes 10 times clockwise and 10 times counterclockwise.
- Relax for 3 minutes with your eyes closed.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes stop staring at your computer and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
If these techniques don’t work, try these Eye Relief Eye Drops. I use them whenever I feel my eyes burning or aching from spending too much time in front of the computer.
Wear protective eyewear
To protect your eyes from countless potential hazards at work, at home or outdoors, it’s essential that you wear appropriate protective eyewear such as goggles, safety glasses or face shields. It’s the only way you can prevent metal shards, chemicals or other dangerous materials from entering your eye.
Most protective goggles are made of a certain type of polycarbonate that offers 10 times more resilience than ordinary plastics. If you want to be protected and look cool at the same time, these safety glasses with side shields are perfect for that!
When it comes to sunglasses, you should look for shades that aren’t just trendy but also block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation that can blur your vision. If you don’t like wearing sunglasses, a nice and cozy hat like this one can also offer your eyes great protection from the damaging rays.
Quit smoking
I’m sure you’ve heard it before but let me just say it again: smoking is bad! Apart from affecting your lungs, heart, skin and teeth, smoking can also have adverse effects on your eyes. According to the Association of Optometrists smoking, and exposure to smoke increases your chances of developing eye diseases such as uveitis or macular degeneration and suffering sight loss.
Fortunately, if you quit, you will be able to see the positive effects in your eyes, lungs and other body parts within the very first hours of quitting. Read also 7 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Quit Smoking for more information.
As a former smoker, I can tell you from experience you’re more likely to quit with the right support. Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking was what helped me. These nicotine clear patches also worked for many heavy smokers, so you might also want to give them a try!
Keep your hands and lenses clean
Is it possible to catch a virus through your eyes? Very possible. That’s because you can touch something that is contaminated with germs, and then rub your eyes. Viruses such as the cold, flu and the novel coronavirus can live on certain surfaces for hours, but simple habits like cleaning your hands often with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer can keep you safe.
Your contact lenses also need to be stored properly such as in this lens case, disinfected to eliminate germs that can cause eye infections or replaced as instructed by your doctor.
