People often wonder how to get healthy eyes. Is it through good nutrition? Is it via regular eye checkups or with a healthy lifestyle? Maintaining good eye health requires a combination of all these factors. Here are some tips for healthy eyes.
1. Visit an eye doctor regularly for healthy eyes
People who wear corrective lenses should see a doctor regularly to keep the prescription up-to-date. For those who don’t, it is recommended to go for an eye exam by the age of 40. People who feel redness in eyes, blurry vision or pain in the eyes should see an eye doctor right away. People with a family history of glaucoma are at high risk of getting eye diseases and should get regular eye checkups. This is one of the best tips for eye care.
2. Blinking breaks for healthy eyes
When a person’s eyes are fixed on the screen, the natural blink rate of 15-20 times per minute is reduced to half. When a person does not blink enough, the cornea becomes dry, leading to irritation in the eyes. Hence, it is important to follow the “20/20/20” rule when working on computer monitors or screens for eye care. According to the rule, for every 20 minutes spent staring at a screen, a person should look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and blink the eyes.
Also Read: Why is Eye Care Important?
3. Shield with sunglasses to make your eyes healthy
Vision can weaken over time due to exposure to harmful UV rays. Too much exposure can also cause problems such as cataracts, AMD, macular degeneration. It can lead to abnormal growths on the eyelids or the surface of the eyes. The only way to avoid UV rays is by wearing sunglasses that offer at least 99% protection from UVA and UVB rays. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and are a popular choice.
These days, contact lenses with UV protection are also available. However, they do not protect the eyelids, so sunglasses cannot be skipped.
4. Go for green
While carrots are widely known for promoting healthy eyes due to the vitamin A content, the importance of green leafy vegetables cannot be overlooked. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, peas, etc. are rich in nutrients that improve vision.
Also Read: The Best Nutrition for the Perfect Vision
5. Wear Contacts with Care
Most contact lens users do not take proper care of their lenses. Proper eye care means taking care of contacts. Nothing but saline solution should be used to moisten and clean contacts. Also, contacts should always be kept in fresh saline solution. To keep the contact lenses and cases free from germs and bacteria, they should only be handled with washed hands.
6. Change Makeup Habits
Bacteria can flourish even in eye makeup such as mascara. It is not advised to use a tube for more than 3 months, even if the expiry date is far away. Eyeliner pencils should be sharpened on a regular basis. Applying the liner on the waterline, i.e. inside the lash line, can lead to blockage of oil glands.
Also Read: Eye care tips – Simple ways to protect your eyes
7. Sip some tea
Ditching coffee for green tea is a great idea owing to the fact that green tea is hydrating and rich in antioxidants. Hydration helps in the production of tears while antioxidants and vitamins keep the eye tissues healthy.
8. Quit Smoking
Smoking leaves a person more vulnerable to macular degeneration, supports cataract development and can even lead to optic nerve damage. It is best to quit smoking as soon as possible to maintain good eye health.
Must Read: Quit Smoking the Easy Way
Conclusion: These were some healthy eye care tips. One should focus on the to-dos such as inclusion of citrus fruits, green vegetables and green tea to the daily routine; while paying equal attention to what not to do, for instance smoking. Practicing a combination of these tips is important to promote good eye health.