8 Tips to Protect Your Vision

Written by Abby Kiesner
Communications Manager

8 Tips to Protect Your Vision

As humans, we form 80% of our perceptions by using our most dominant sense organs: sight. We rely so heavily on our vision to direct us through our lives, daily. That is why it is so important to take care of our eyes to prevent the risk of losing our vision and to prevent any additional problems or diseases. Below are 8 tips to protect your vision.

1. Limit Screen Time

• Take breaks from your screen and remember to look away.
  A good way to remember this is through the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes look away at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Keep screens at least a foot and a half away from you at all times.

• Use eye drops to help lubricate the eyes.

2. Eat a Balanced Diet

Foods that are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A & C, and omega-3 fatty acids are important to the macula (the part of the eye that controls your central vision) and reduces the risk of eye conditions. Saturated fats and sugar may increase your risk of eye disease and clogs your blood vessels; it is essential to avoid foods containing this as much as possible.

Healthy foods to eat: green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli, and peas), fruits that contain vitamin C (oranges, berries, and tomatoes), and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon & oysters).

Unhealthy foods to avoid: pizza, baked goods, fried food, and candy.

3. Exercise Regularly
Working out improves your blood circulation, bringing more oxygen to your eyes and throughout your body removing toxins.

4. Washing your Hands and Take Off your Eye Makeup Daily
It removes germs and bacteria that may cause eye infections like pink eye. Washing your hands and bathing also reduces your chances of getting sick.

5. Wear Sunglasses
The sun is very powerful and can even lead to blindness if your eyes are exposed too long. The ultraviolet light is very harmful to your eyes, so it is important to protect your eyes using sunglasses and a hat helps to help reduce the amount of UV radiation you are exposed to. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA & UVB rays.

6. Quit Smoking
Smoking increases your risk for getting cataracts and damages your optic nerve, as well as causes many other eye problems.

7. Use Safety Glasses
When you are at home working on a project or playing a sport where there is potential to damage your eyes, wear safety glasses to prevent any unwanted materials from entering your eye.

8. Get Routine Eye Exams
It is important to get exams in order to make sure your prescription is up to date and to check for possible underlying eye diseases, so they can be spotted and treated early on.

If you would like to schedule an eye exam, click the button below to receive a complimentary consultation with one of our specialized surgeons at a location near you!