7 Tips for Preserving Your Vision and Eye Health
Once you have suffered vision loss or damage to your eyes, there’s no going back. So preventing damage or the onset of disease to maintain healthy eyes and vision should be a part of your daily routine. Here are some things you can do to maintain your current vision and eye health, and avoid or delay new eye health issues.
1 | Wear Protective Eyewear
Protecting your eyes from damaging UV rays or even projectiles while playing sports or working is very important. UV radiation can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems. Working with hazardous materials, tools, or even playing sports also requires wearing the proper safety glasses or goggles.
If you need prescription sunglasses or protective lenses, be sure to book an appointment to ensure you get the correct prescription and to select your frames!
2 | Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Many health conditions can lead to eye conditions that damage your vision; for example, diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle improves your overall health and supports your eye health. So be sure to eat a balanced diet that includes key nutrients that are beneficial to your eye health, such as vitamins A, C, and E; zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Great sources include carrots, leafy greens, oranges, strawberries, salmon, and nuts.
Be sure to stay hydrated as well. Water helps maintain proper eye moisture and prevents dryness. If you live in a dry climate, consider running a humidifier to add moisture to the air to help reduce eye dryness and discomfort.
Finally, exercise helps improve blood flow to the eyes and promotes overall health and well-being. Work with your doctor to find the right level of exercise for your health needs.
3 | Manage Health Conditions
If you already have health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, make sure to get regular check-ups to monitor your condition. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and develop a care plan that helps manage your condition and slows the worsening of any affects it has on your body.
4 | Quit Smoking
Smoking increases your risk of certain eye conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. It also increases your risk for health conditions such as hypertension and lung cancer. Quitting smoking can improve your overall health and significantly reduce the risk of vision loss. Work with your doctor to find a smoking cessation plan that works for you.
5 | Limit Screen Time
Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and even blurred vision. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: take breaks from screens every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. We know that many of you have desk jobs that require working on computers all day, so discuss blue light reducing lenses with your eye doctor to find out if they are right for you. Running a humidifier in your office can also help reduce dryness, especially in dry climates. Then when you get home for the day, limit your screen time to give your eyes a break!
6 | Practice Good Contact Lens Hygiene
If you don’t practice good contact lens hygiene with taking your contacts in and out, it can lead to eye infections that can damage your vision. Follow your eye doctor’s instructions for inserting and removing your contacts as well as cleaning your contact lenses to help prevent infections.
7| Get Regular Eye Exams
Finally, but most importantly, get regular eye exams! Your eye doctor can better track your vision and eye health by getting regular comprehensive eye exams. Regular eye exams should begin at age three or four. The frequency of your eye exams depends on your age and current eye health. So work with your eye doctor to find the right eye exam schedule for your needs.
Need to schedule an eye exam? Black Diamond Eye Care is your comprehensive family eye care specialist! We recognize how vital healthy vision is for a fulfilling life. That’s why we are dedicated to providing exceptional family eye care services. Our dedicated team will work with you to find the right treatment plan and eye exam schedule. We also specialize in diagnosing and treating many eye problems, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and dry eye. Schedule your next eye exam today to protect your eye health and vision!
