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Our eyes are one of our most vital senses, allowing us to interpret the world around us. Properly caring for our eyesight is crucial for maintaining good vision and eye health throughout our lives. There are several important things we can do to keep our eyes in excellent shape. Here are 5 essential tips to help you take care of your eyes.
The Importance Of Regular Eye Exams
One of the best ways to preserve your vision is to get comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis. The American Optometric Association recommends eye exams according to the following schedule:
- Infants: At 6 months old, then at 3 years old
- Pre-schoolers: Annually from ages 3-6
- School-age children: Annually
- Adults: Every 1-2 years from age 40 onward
Annual exams are key for adults to track vision changes and check for signs of eye diseases. You can visit the website of https://denvervision.net to book your appointment. Routine check-ups help to detect refractive errors, depth perception, eye alignment, and eye health. Don’t skip your recommended eye exams.
How To Take Care Of Your Eyes
Providing Your Eyes Proper Nutrition
Eating foods rich in certain vitamins and nutrients promotes good vision and health. Lutein and zeaxanthin help protect the eyes from UV and high-energy light. Vitamins C and E help combat macular degeneration and cataracts. Key nutrients to incorporate include:
- Vitamin A from eggs, milk, and carrots
- Vitamin C from oranges, strawberries, peppers
- Vitamin E from nuts, seeds, spinach
- Lutein and zeaxanthin from greens, eggs, citrus
- Zinc from beef, seafood, nuts, legumes
A balanced diet with eye-healthy foods nourishes your eyes and vision long-term.
Protecting Your Eyes From UV Exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet sunlight poses a major threat to eye health. UV light significantly raises the risks of macular degeneration, cataracts, and growth in the eye. Always wear sunglasses when outside that block 99-100% of UVA/UVB rays.
Wrap-around sunglass styles offer the most UV eye protection. Consider getting prescription sunglasses made if needed. Reducing UV exposure protects the delicate tissues in and around the eyes.
Taking Breaks When Using Screens
In today’s world, we spend a tremendous amount of time staring at digital screens on computers, phones, tablets, and TVs. Chronic screen staring strains the eyes in several ways, resulting in eye fatigue. Symptoms include headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and trouble focusing.
Use the ‘20-20-20’ rule and reduce eye strain. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at anything 20 feet away. This helps the eye muscles to relax. When staring at a screen, make sure to blink frequently to help the eyes dry down.
Practicing Proper Eye Hygiene
Keeping your eyes clean and avoiding infection is key for eye health. Never touch or rub your eyes with unwashed hands. Wash hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses. Replace eye makeup every 3 months to avoid contamination.
Be mindful of potential household eye irritants like chemical cleaners. Wear protective goggles when working with hazardous materials. Practicing good hygiene keeps eyes free of debris and germs.
To Wrap Up
Our eye health impacts how we move through life, so giving them proper care is crucial. Schedule regular eye exams, nourish your eyes with good nutrition, protect them from UV light, take screen breaks, and practice eye hygiene. By following these 5 essential tips, you can keep your eyes healthy and vision strong for years to come.
