Healthy Eye Tips

Articles

Mar 1

How important is your vision to you? Chances are, most individuals place high value on their vision and would aim to keep their vision healthy for as long as possible. As we age, our eyes can begin to degrade or fail in different ways. Depending on the person, you may develop nearsightedness or farsightedness, have trouble seeing in low light, or develop disease. The way we see is through light. Light will reflect off of our surroundings and objects which allow us to see them. All the different components of your eye such as the cornea, iris, pupil, and retina work together to focus the light, adjust its shape, and pass the light through. There are ways you can alter your lifestyle to focus on your eyes and keep them healthy as you age.

Tips for Eye Health

Nutrition

Similar to most other health concerns or diseases, what you put into your body affects everything within it and your eyes are no different. Certain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty aides, zinc, or vitamin C and E in your diet can help protect your eyes against deterioration or degeneration. Macular degeneration and low vision can occur simply due to age (see our recent article about macular degeneration and low vision). Foods such as salmon, tuna, or other fish products contain the necessary omega-3 fatty acids. Spinach, kale, or other dark leafy greens contain many of the nutrients to help support your sight. You can find other needed nutrients in non-meat sources such as eggs, nuts, or beans, and vitamins in citrus fruits as well. Incorporating all of these foods into your daily diet will boost your body’s ability to fight impairment to your vision due to aging.

Another factor to consider is diabetes. Those with diabetes are at risk of blindness, so focusing on your diet to eat healthy and maintain proper blood sugar is key.

Lifestyle Changes

Smoking is linked to so many health issues, including cataracts. Individuals who smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop cataracts, incur damage to their optical nerve, in addition to general medical issues throughout the body. Your doctor can help address the habit if you have a desire to quit and need some assistance. Healthcare professionals can work with your specific habit to help you find the right path of success to promote better health in your future.

Eye Protection

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays which are harmful to our skin, but also to our eyes. Some individuals may not consider the impact the sun can have on your eyes. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause cataracts to form or lead to macular degeneration. Simply opting to wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB blocking lenses can prevent this damage from occurring.

In addition to damage from the sun, individuals commonly damage their eyes physically on a job site or while engaged in recreational activity. Wearing protective goggles or eyewear is a simple measure to take, but can save your eyes from major harm.

Screen Time

It is difficult to address concerns around screen time and its effect on our eyes in this modern age. Many individuals are required to work on a computer or attend school on a computer. Time spent looking at a screen can have a negative impact on our eyesight and eye function. Use the 20-20-20 rule to help give your eyes the break they need when engaging in work or education on a screen. Every 20 minutes, look out a window or in the distance 20 feet for 20 seconds. Doing this throughout your workday or school day can help keep you from overexerting your eyes. The position of your eyes when on the computer also has an impact. Try to position yourself so your eyes are directly in line with the top of the screen so they are not looking up or straight ahead, but are looking slightly downward.

Regular Examinations

Although you may not experience pain or discomfort in your eyes or notice your vision worsening, it does not mean your eyes are in perfect health. Your doctor can identify problems which are starting to occur before they become a bigger issue. Be sure to visit your doctor at least every two years for a dilated eye exam. During these exams, your doctor can determine if there are any slight changes to your vision and if your vision is changing with age. Your results can help indicate any development of glaucoma, cataracts, or damage to your optic nerve. For those with other diagnosed conditions such as diabetes, it is critical for your doctor to monitor your eye health.

Oxygen

Your eyes need oxygen to function just like the rest of your body. Many may consider fresh air and oxygen important mainly to the lungs and heart to supply the rest of the body, but the eyes (particularly the cornea) do not maintain oxygen supply internally. Make sure you are allowing your eyes to breathe regularly, especially if you normally wear contacts.

As with so many degenerative diseases and physical ailments, early detection of problems is integral to treatment. By treating issues early, you can not only potentially reach a solution sooner, but you may also save money in the process. Don’t ignore any discomfort or changes to your vision.