In this age of technology, we subject our eyes to a lot of unavoidable discomforts. We stare at the smartphone screens continuously. Similarly, TVs, computers, laptops, and other devices seek our attention more than anything else. The UV rays emitted by these vices take a heavy toll on our eyesight. Consequently, the average age of people wearing eyeglasses has come down drastically. We spoke with the Eye Care specialists at Schaeffer Eye Center to discuss this issue more, and they provided us with these five tips that can help restore the balance and provide for better eye care.

 

1.     Eat the right kind of food

Eating foods rich in Vitamins A and C can help our eyes a great deal. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, cod liver oil, papaya, leafy green vegetables, apricots, and oranges are good for our eyes. Similarly, foods rich in Omega 3 fats such as nuts and cold fish can help in keeping the retina healthy and arrest age-related eyesight deterioration.

Avoid sugary foods as they can worsen your eyesight. The next time you feel like extending your hand towards the sweetened beverages, opt to go for coffee instead. Caffeine is good for your eyes. Avoid foods containing trans fats such as commercially prepared cookies and cakes. Stay away from fried foods and vegetable oil.

 

2.     Your eyes need exercise as well

Staring at the computer screen for a long time can affect your eyes. Yes, the modern-day computers and smartphones have anti-glare screens but develop the habit of distracting yourself from these appliances. The 20-20-20 rule should come in handy. For every 20 minutes you work on your computer or laptop, take a 20-minute break to focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away. This exercise will reduce computer-related eyestrain.

Have enough sleep as lack of sleep can cause the formation of dark circles under your eyes. Similarly, there are many exercises in Yoga that can protect your eyes from damage. Frequent blinking your eyes can also help prevent fatigue. Artificial tears can also do wonders for tired and irritated eyes.

 

3.     Better to be safe than sorry

Sunglasses are not for looking cool alone. They protect your eyes from the UV radiation from the sun. Direct exposure to sunlight is harmful to your eyes. It is advisable to wear eyeglasses and sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Have anti-glare protection on your regular eyeglasses as well. Vehicular pollution can also irritate your eyes. Wearing quality sunglasses can help you protect your eyes from such external factors.

One of the initial signs of eye problems is a persistent headache. It is better to consult an eye doctor rather than reaching out for the aspirin tablet.

 

4.     Have your eyes tested regularly

You should ensure to have a critical examination at a chicago eye doctor of your eyes every six months irrespective of the fact that you have vision problems or not. A detailed examination can give you protection from common eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration. These problems come without any warning signs. A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help detect such issues in their initial stages.

Your family history plays a vital role in your eye health. If there are instances of elders in your family suffering from eye diseases, you are at high risk of developing vision problems. Explain such conditions to your eye doctor while going for the regular eye examination.

 

5.     Keep away from bad habits

Bad habits like smoking and drinking can bring with it a lot of problems for your eyes. Smoking is harmful to your overall health. It is equally dangerous for your eyes. In addition to causing internal damage, the smoke from the cigarettes can cloud your eyes from the exterior as well. Studies have shown that chronic smokers are at great risk of contracting macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage. All these issues can lead to permanent blindness.

Similarly, alcohol has a detrimental effect on your eye health. Staying away from cigarettes and alcohol can do your eyesight a lot of good.

We have seen five simple strategies that can help protect our eyes. Following these tips should not be a challenging task. It explains why the wise people say, “Prevention is better than Cure.”