Everyone is born with two eyes. Most people use their eyes each day to see, so it is important that they continue to function properly. As you get older, it is even more important to make sure that your eyes are taken care of. Here are a few things you can do to care for your eyes.
You should wear sunglasses as often as possible. Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement, they’re a source of much-needed protection from the sun. Sunglasses block Ultra-Violet radiation, which can cause serious and long-term damage to the eye. Sunglasses can even prevent wrinkles and cancer from forming around the eye!
Wear sunglasses when out in the sun. Invest in a high quality pair that feature strong UV protection, and don’t ever leave home without them. The sun is incredibly dangerous to your eyes and the skin around them, too. Do not go without eye protection on sunny days.
A wide-brimmed hat can be your best friend when outdoors, especially when the sun is shining. A hat offers a lot of protection for your face, including areas like your eyelids where sun can sneak in around the edges of glasses. Eyelids are a fairly common place for melanoma to develop, so cover up outdoors with a stylish hat whenever you can.
Avoid touching your eyes with your hand during the day if you had not washed your hands. When you are on the job or in school, your hands are in contact with surfaces that are full of bacteria. If you touch your eyes, you will transfer the bacteria to your eyes and raise the risk if an eye infection.
Keep your eyes protected from the sun. You should wear quality sunglasses to protect them from UV rays. If your eyes are frequently exposed to UVB rays, your risks for macular degeneration and cataracts increase. Try picking a pair of sunglasses that block between 99 and 100 percent of UVB and UVA rays.
What you eat is very important to the health of your eyes. A diet that is rich in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids are helpful to good eyesight. Many vegetables like carrots and broccoli are rich in vitamin A. Fish and nuts can provide you with the omega-3 that you need.
If you work for long periods of time on a computer, protect your eyes by taking frequent breaks. You might have noticed that your eyes often feel strained, tired and itchy during regular working hours. This is probably a good indication that you’re over working them. Get up and stretch for a few minutes, offering your eyes some time away from the screen.
Wear protective eye gear. Sunglasses are great when it comes to protecting your eyes from the sun, but when you’re on the job and need to protect your eyes from sawdust, debris, or sand make sure you wear tougher eye gear than just a pare of goggles. Goggles are a must-have for anyone working in these kinds of environments.
Believe it or not, what you eat can play a role in preventing many eye care problems. Studies have shown that eating foods with lots of Vitamin E and C, zinc and fatty acids with omega-3 can prevent macular degeneration and cataracts from occurring. Beans, nuts, oranges, tuna, leafy vegetables, and salmon all contain these nutrients.
Drink plenty of water. As with the rest of your body, your eyes require adequate hydration. If you consume adequate amounts of water, it will help you. Consider talking to your health care professional to find out how much water you need to consume each day based on your weight and activity levels.
Position your computer monitor at the ideal distance from your eyes. If your monitor is positioned too high or too close, it can cause you eye strain. Eyes that are stressed are prone to develop more problems down the road. The computer screen should be positioned at eye level and at least at an arm’s distance.
Remember to replace your contact lenses at least once every three months. Two months is actually a much better target, or even one month. Many people forget to replace their contacts as frequently as they should, which later leads to more serious problems in the eyes, such as irritation, ulcers, or infections.
Regular eye checkups are essential to proper eye health. As you get older, it becomes even more important, so see the doctor more frequently. Glaucoma and cataracts are just two of many common eye problems in older people. Carefully take note of any eye problems that you have, and do not hesitate to consult your eye doctor with any concerns.
Know your history. If your parents or grandparents had trouble with their eyes, chances are you will too. Make an effort to get checkups at the eye doctor more often, to ensure that no problems have developed. And, if you are diagnosed with anything, make sure your family members know about it.
If you use contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands before touching them. There are all sorts of germs and viruses which can enter your body through your eye. The last thing you want is an eye infection, or even a cold or the flu, so wash up first!
A great way to relieve eye strain when using electronics is to incorporate anti-glare covers or screens. Many monitors for computers and tablets use these now and greatly help your eye health over prolonged periods. You should also make sure there are no direct lights on screens to help reduce glare in this way.
If you have puffy eyelids, consider cucumber slices as a means of preventing water retention. You don’t have to do this when sleeping, but instead take two slices of cucumber and put them on your eyes for a relaxing ten minutes. Soaking green tea bags in water is great for reducing eye puffiness along with inflammation.
After reading this article, you now have the knowledge you need to better care for your eyes. Make sure that you use the tips above to help you to start thinking about what you can do for your eyes. Try each of the tips to see which ones work best for you and your eyes.
