5 Helpful Tips for Better Eyesight

As we grow older, years start catching up with us, and every aspect of our health can become affected. While we mostly focus on what is generally perceived as serious health issues – like heart health and diabetes prevention, the truth is our vision is also very important. Vision deterioration is often seen as a normal aspect of aging, but, truthfully, there is plenty that we can do to keep our sense of sight flawless. So, here are some simple tips that you can incorporate into your life to keep your eyesight at its best.

Watch what you eat

A healthy diet is the basic building block for every single aspect of your health, and eye health is no exception. To keep perfect vision, avoid processed foods, and excessive sugar in particular. A sugar-rich diet can be a contributing factor to diabetes, which can be very detrimental to vision, possibly even leading to blindness. A wholesome diet based on fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients is great for eye health. In particular, make sure you eat plenty of carrots and leafy greens like spinach and chards. Omega-3 fatty acids are also a necessary nutrient for perfect eye health. It can be found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel, but it’s pretty effective when used as a supplement, too.

Don’t skip your check-up

Even if you have no noticeable vision problems, you should get your eyes checked out once a year. During your annual exam, your doctor will check your vision, determine whether you need to wear prescription glasses, but also check your general eye health. Sometimes eye problems don’t have symptoms that you will necessarily notice, or at least identify as eye-related. A detailed dilated eye test can catch even sneaky conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetes-related eye disease. Luckily, a great majority of vision issues is preventable or successfully treated if discovered early.

Choose a healthy lifestyle

In a twist that surprised exactly no one, it turns out that cigarettes and alcohol are really bad for your eyes. Smoking, in particular, has been linked to a number of eye conditions, all of which can even lead to blindness if left untreated. Maintaining a healthy weight is another essential factor. It makes perfect sense since obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes.

Pack your sunnies

So, you have your sunscreen to protect your skin, but what about your eyes? They are just as affected by the UV-A and UV-B radiation. Invest in a nice pair of sunglasses that have quality lenses with proper protection. You should be aiming for glasses that block 99 to 100 per cent of the radiation. And, if you are doing any work that has potential to be dangerous – like dealing with chemicals, playing sports, working with wood or metal, or endangering your eyes in any way – always remember to wear appropriate protective goggles. Protective eyewear is specifically designed to keep your eyes safe, and are made from strong, durable materials.

Be kind to your eyes

Remember how your mother warned you not to read in poor lighting? Well, apparently, she was making a lot of sense. Eye strain is definitely a real problem, and one that’s not hard to avoid. Apart from always having strong lighting, you should also pay attention to just how much screen time you are getting every day. Between our computers, smartphones, tablets and TVs, we are all spending too much time staring at screens. While it mostly can’t be helped, there are certain measures we can take to minimize the effects of screen time. Did you know that your eye muscles need exercise, just like any other muscle in your body? To maintain flexibility, your eyes need to change focus every once in a while. If you have to look at your screen for an extended period, try to look away and shift your focus every twenty minutes. If you are experiencing redness and dryness, try using artificial tears.

Even if you aren’t experiencing any vision problems at the moment, it’s important to prioritize your eye health. This is one aspect of your health that you can take control of, and really enjoy the fruits of your preventative measures throughout your entire life.