Our eyes are regarded as our windows to the world, and taking sufficient care of them is a priority. As the use of digital devices increases, alongside long working hours and environmental factors such as pollution and UV exposure, it can impact your eye health. The good news is that maintaining optimal eye health doesn’t need to be complicated. Instead, it is the simple, everyday habits that can make a huge difference in preserving your vision and preventing future eye problems. You can also take advantage of eyeglasses from Salisbury Optometrists by consulting our eye care doctors. In this blog, we will explore some daily habits to follow that can help keep your eyes healthy, sharp, and protected for an extended period as you age.
5 Excellent Habits for Maintaining Optimal Eye Health
The 20-20-20 Rule to Combat Screen Time
In the digital age, screen time has become an integral part of our daily routine, whether at work, school, or leisure. Therefore, continuous exposure to screens can lead to headaches and various visual discomforts, including blurred vision and digital eye strain. Thus, the 20-20-20 rule comes in handy just to reduce this strain.
What exactly is the 20-20-20 rule?
Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something from a distance of 20 feet. This basic practice helps your eyes prevent fatigue and strain, allowing them to relax.
How do you implement this habit? Always try to set a timer or reminder on your device to ensure you take these breaks regularly. Your eyes will always remain healthy.
Consume Healthy Foods and Maintain a Balanced Diet
At times, your diet plays a critical role in maintaining eye health. Several nutrients are considered essential for maintaining good vision and reducing the risk of eye-related diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Here are the steps to follow and what to include in your diet.
Vitamin A
This vitamin is well-known for its benefits to eye health. Instead, it helps to maintain the surface of the eyes and mainly contributes to healthy vision. Include foods like sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and carrots in your meals to support a healthy diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Healthy fats do reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome. They are primarily found in Salmon fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
The following antioxidants are found to be present in the retina, and they help to protect your eyes from harmful light if you consume green vegetables like Kale and Spinach that are rich in Vitamin A nutrients.
Vitamin C and E
These two vitamins protect your eyes from oxidative stress. Additionally, include further citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds in your diet to maintain a regular supply of Vitamin C and E.
Remain Well Hydrated to Prevent Dry Eye
Always remain hydrated to prevent dry eyes. Dehydration can sometimes lead to irritation, blurred vision, discomfort, and dry eyes.
Also, drink plenty of water each day to keep your body hydrated and your eyes lubricated and healthy. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. It becomes particularly critical if you live in a dry climate or spend a significant amount of time in an air-conditioned environment.
Wear Sunglasses to Protect Against UV Rays
Wear affordable eyeglasses and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. At times, overexposure to UV light can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other severe eye diseases. UV rays can cause long-term damage to the surface of the eyes and their internal structures. Wear affordable eyeglasses that can easily block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. It is a crucial step in protecting your eyes.
UV rays are not only present during the summer, but also throughout the year. Make sure to wear sunglasses whenever you step outside, especially during peak sunlight hours.
Conduct A Routine Eye Examination
Systematic eye care examinations are a critical part of maintaining optimal eye health. Even if your eyes remain healthy and safe, a comprehensive eye care exam is necessary at least once a year. Through this eye care exam, some critical eye care conditions and diseases can be quickly detected, like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These diseases may not show symptoms until later stages.
Are you planning to schedule an eye care examination?
For adults, eye care examinations are typically scheduled every two years. However, if you wear affordable eyeglasses from Salisbury Optometrist, you may require annual eye check-ups. For people aged 60 and above, eye care exams should be conducted at least every quarter. Since the risk of eye diseases increases with age. Regular eye care exams ensure that your prescription remains updated and help you detect potential vision problems at an early stage.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining optimal eye health is within your reach when you follow these simple yet attractive habits in your daily routine. From the foods you eat to how you handle your screens and contacts, every step does matter.
By staying vigilant and proactive about eye care, you can protect your vision and maintain eye health for years to come. Do keep in mind that your eyes are irreplaceable, so take good care of them.