The most effective way to keep your eyes healthy for longer simply involves eating well and having regular eye tests to catch any eye conditions before they become a problem.
What should I be doing for healthier eyes?
- Eat plenty of fruits and leafy vegetables to keep your vitamin levels high
- Remember to wear sunglasses when out in the heat
- Quit smoking as soon as possible
- Give your eyes a break from the computer screen once in a while
Find
out more about the vitamins your eyes need to stay healthy
How can I avoid problems with my eyes?
Stick to a healthy eating pattern
Adding more fruits and leafy vegetables to your diet will increase the amount of Vitamins A and C in your diet, as well as a number of other nutrients such as lutein. This healthy cocktail can help keep eye conditions such as cataracts at bay and can even slow the progress of age related sight loss. Healthier eating will also help you stay at a healthy weight, reducing the risk of diabetes and associated sight loss.
Stop smoking as soon as you can
Avoiding smoking at all costs isn’t just good for your lungs, it will also help keep your vision healthy. Smoking can drastically increase your chances of developing conditions such as cataracts and can even speed up any age related sight loss. The NHS has a number of programmes dedicated to helping you stop smoking should you need any assistance at all.
Wear sunglasses on a sunny day
In the same way the sun can have a detrimental effect on your skin, your eyes can also be affected. Over exposure to UV rays has been linked to damaging conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea) which can cause temporary blindness. A pair of UV protective sunglasses are all you need to stay protected from the sun’s rays, especially on lighter days when you’re out of the shade.
Avoid eye strain
Regularly straining your eyes can lead to more long term problems down the line. Make sure when you’re reading or concentrating particularly hard on something that you are in a well-lit area, although avoid causing any glare that might shine back into your eyes. It’s also worth remembering to regularly look away from your computer screen and look at something in the distance for a while, giving your eyes a much needed rest.
Get plenty of rest
Sleeping well is both a good way to rest your eyes and an excellent way to keep them clean. While they are below your eyelids, your eyes are being continuously lubricated. This washes away any dirt or dust that might have accumulated throughout the day and ensures they are fresh and irritation free for the next morning.
