Starting the New Year off with Healthy Vision Habits
The start of the new year is a great time to work on incorporating healthy habits into your routine and life! Vision is how you navigate the world around you and most people take it for granted until it’s gone. But don’t wait until it’s too late to begin preserving your vision. This year, give yourself the gift of healthy vision by following these healthy vision habits.
Practice a Healthy Lifestyle
Eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, and keeping active are all part of a healthy lifestyle that can help protect your vision. Drink plenty of water each day and focus on eating a nutrient-rich diet, including fruits, veggies, and omega-3 fatty fish. Being overweight puts you at higher risk for certain conditions that lead to eye issues, so staying active can help you maintain a healthy body weight.
Give Your Eyes a Break
If you spend a lot of time looking at device screens, don’t forget to give your eyes a break by following the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help reduce eye fatigue.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can increase your risk for serious eye issues, so make a plan with your doctor to quit smoking!
Practice Good Contact Lens Hygiene
Not practicing good hygiene when putting in or taking out contact lenses can lead to eye infections that could damage your vision. Always wash your hands before putting in or taking out your contact lenses and be sure to only use contact solution and a proper case to soak your lenses in. Also, always remove your contact lenses before showering, swimming, and sleeping.
Wear Proper Protection
Protect your eyes from the sun when you are outside by wearing sunglasses with proper UV protection. Wearing protective eyewear when being active will also help preserve and protect your vision. Wear goggles when swimming to protect yourself from waterborne bacteria that can lead to sight-threatening diseases. Protective eyewear while participating in sports or during other dangerous activities (such as construction work or chemical work) can protect your eyes from injury as well.
Don’t Wear the Wrong Prescription
Wearing the wrong prescription can be dangerous. That’s why it’s always important to have an extra set of glasses with the correct prescription. If you find that your vision is changing, be sure to schedule an exam right away to get a new prescription and corrective lenses that are right for you.
Get an Annual Checkup
Finally, don’t skip your annual eye exam! Routine eye exams allow for closely tracking changes in your eyes, ensuring that problems are caught sooner. This means you can start treatments earlier when there is a problem, helping to preserve more of your vision.
Ready to schedule your next eye exam or in need of new corrective lenses? Black Diamond Eye Care is your trusted family eye doctor! Our dedicated team of optometrists, along with our friendly staff, are devoted to providing top-tier eye care services in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Schedule your next appointment today!
