5 Tips for Optimal Eye Health
Whether you’re busy spending hours at your office desk, at home with the kids, or running day to day errands, many of us tend to neglect our vision. Your eyesight is regarded as one of the most important senses, so doing what you can to protect your eyes is paramount. This will help decrease the risk of blindness, vision loss, and contracting eye diseases like cataracts. No matter your age or circumstance, here are five useful tips for optimal eye health.
Follow a Balanced Diet
Your eyes have their own set of nutritional needs, which is why you must follow a balanced diet. Choosing foods that are rich in vitamins A and C is critical for the health of the macula. This is the area of the eye that is responsible for central vision. Should you indulge in too much alcohol, saturated fats, or antioxidants, this can damage your macula and restrict blood flow in the arteries.
Don’t Smoke
We’re all aware of how dangerous smoking is for our physical health, but what you may not understand is how tobacco use can damage your eyes. Smoking exposes the eyes to higher levels of oxidative stress. And while the connection hasn’t yet been clearly established, it’s thought that smoking can increase your risk of developing health conditions that affect the eye. If you are worried about your vision and you smoke, now is the best time to pack the habit in for good.
Exercise
Whether you want to shed a few pounds, build muscle, or feel better when you look in the mirror, regular physical activity is imperative for good health. When exercising, activities like aerobics will decrease intraocular pressure that is found in your eyes. Cardio exercise boosts your blood flow to the retina and optic nerve, helping to maintain optimal eye health. Factoring in 30 minutes of exercise each day can do wonders for your health and eyesight.
Wear Sunglasses
When out and about, there are harmful UV lights that can damage your eyes when exposed. Therefore, wearing a pair of sunglasses from a company like Art of Optiks that has UVA and UVB protection is critical for eye protection. Even in the winter months, the sunlight can harm your eyesight. So, purchasing a pair of sunglasses to wear during the day will help you maintain good eye health.
Wash Your Hands
Regularly washing your hands is vital for maintaining optimal eye health. With the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the globe, you should know now more than ever the importance of keeping your hands clean. Your hands harbor plenty of bacteria and germs, and should you touch your eyes without washing them, it can result in severe eye infections. So, make sure you get into the habit of washing your hands. And if you’re not near a sink with water and soap, a bottle of hand sanitizer will add protection.
Your eyes are the window to the world. If you don’t take good care of your eyesight, you run the risk of developing vision problems later in life. So, following the advice above is critical for maintaining optimal eye health.
