It is estimated that 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high-risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months. The eyes allow you to take in light from the world around you and send visual information to your brain. Your vision is one of your five senses, and an important one! Don’t take your eyes for granted.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your eyes (and vision) healthy!
5 Steps to Keep Your Vision in Tip-Top Shape
- Eat Well. A diet low in saturated fats and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (like a heart healthy diet) promotes vision health. Your eyes rely on tiny arteries for oxygen and nutrients, so keeping those arteries healthy helps your eyes stay healthy. In addition, nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E can help ward off vision-related problems like cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Always Wear Sunglasses. The sun’s rays shine down, even on a cloudy day, so it’s good practice to always wear sunglasses. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose a pair that blocks 99%-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Actually, very dark sunglasses that don’t block any UV rays can cause more harm than not wearing any sunglasses at all, because the dark lenses cause your pupils to open wider and allow more light into your eye.
- Look Away. Staring at a computer screen for too long can cause eye strain, blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, and neck pain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. Take longer breaks of approximately 15 minutes after every 2 hours. Use artificial tears when your eyes feel dry.
- Use Safety Eyewear. If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles! They can protect your eyes from injury and damage – such as chemicals, dust, and debris. Sometimes they can be uncomfortable, fog up, and they make it harder to see, but there are a lot of safety eyewear options to choose from – choose what feels best for you!
- Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly. If you are 40 or older, you should get your eyes checked every 1-2 years. The health of your eyes is connected to the health of your heart (see #1). Eye exams can help detect a number of cardiovascular conditions, including clogged arteries, often before you know there’s a problem.