Taking care of your eyes should be a priority, just like how you take care of your body in general. To ensure your eyesight stays clear and healthy for many years to come, here are five important habits you need to keep in mind.
1. Eat an eye-healthy diet. Leafy greens, colorful vegetables, fruits, nuts and fatty fish are all good for your eyes. They contain vitamins, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which contribute to improving eye health. They also lower your risk of eyesight-related conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, and even blindness.
2. Mind the sun. Many individuals use sunscreen before going outside to protect their skin, and you should do the same for your eyes. Excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure damages the front and rear of the eyes, causing cataracts, macular degeneration and eye cancer. Choose a pair of sunglasses that wrap around your eyes and provide total UV protection.
3. Give your eyes a rest. Whenever you’re doing work in-front of the screen, make sure to take breaks regularly. An eye doctor may also advise you about the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes, and then stare at an object at least 20 meters away for 20 seconds.
4. Wear eye protection. It’s important to use appropriate eye protection whenever you’re using power tools, participating in contact sports, or working in an environment with dust or chemicals. Be sure the lenses are made of polycarbonate and are shatterproof for your peace of mind.
5. Get your eyes checked regularly. Every May, Healthy Vision Month is observed to emphasize the significance of eye health. The National Eye Institute designated it for this month to raise public awareness about the dangers of disregarding eye health. It urges everyone to visit their eye doctor regularly for eye exams so that they can stay on top of their visual health.
Make a yearly eye exam part of your routine, and not simply to check if your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription has changed. Doctors can discover early signs of eye illnesses like glaucoma and AMD that don’t cause symptoms. Early detection and treatment can prevent or slow vision loss.
Alderwood Optical and Canyon Park Vision Clinic is a full-service eye care specialty clinic serving Kirkland and Redmond, WA. Call us today at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell). You may also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.