Did you know that while some people are born with astigmatism, others develop it later on in life? Astigmatism can cause blurry vision, eyestrain, and headaches.
Luckily, astigmatism can quickly be treated with the right glasses or contact prescription. While astigmatism is an easy to manage eye condition, not all eye complications are as simple to deal with.
That’s why it’s important to maintain healthy eyes—the better you see, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to keep the rest of your body happy and healthy as well. But how do you go about caring for your eyes?
We’re here to help. Keep reading below to learn four tips for keeping your eyes healthy.
1. Eat Eye-Friendly Foods
We’re told to drink milk for strong bones and to get a good hit of probiotics to keep our gut flora healthy. The foods that improve eyesight are less well-known, but there are plenty to choose from. Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin C are two of the best nutrients for improving vision.
You can incorporate omega 3 fatty acids into your diet through salmon and other oily fish. For vitamin C, citrus fruits like oranges, kiwis, and strawberries are great diet additions. Bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts are also excellent sources of vitamin C.
2. See an Optometrist Regularly
Your eyeglass and/or contact prescription can change as you age, so it’s important to have regular optometrist visits to monitor any shifts over time. If you find yourself straining to see, it’s time to schedule a visit.
If you have naturally healthy eyes with 20/20 vision, it’s still wise to see an optometrist regularly, especially as you get older. Even those with perfect vision are still susceptible to cataracts, glaucoma, etc.
3. Wear Sunglasses and Safety Goggles
Sunglasses are a necessity when it comes to caring for your eyes, as UV light from the sun can damage your eyes over time. Good quality sunglasses will protect your eyes from 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
However, sunglasses aren’t the only protective eyewear you should keep handy. If you play sports such as racquetball or hockey, goggles can keep you safe from any direct hits to your eyes.
You should also wear them when using dangerous machinery, completing home improvement projects, mixing chemicals, etc. You never know what debris may fly towards your eyes, so goggles are essential for situations like these.
4. Be Mindful of Screen Time
Too much time in front of an electronic screen can cause blurry vision and eye strain. These effects can then lead to headaches and neck pain.
One of the ways you can combat the effects of blue light from electronics is by getting blue-light blocking glasses. Much like sunglasses, blue-light blocking glasses have lenses that either block or absorb the blue light waves from your device’s screen.
If you work from your computer, it’s not always easy to simply cut out your screen time. However, every 20 minutes you should turn away from your screen and rest your eyes. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds before resuming your computer work.
You should take longer breaks every few hours as well. Get up, stretch, and give your eyes a 15-minute break every 2-3 hours that you spend in front of a screen.
Care for Your Healthy Eyes
The health of your eyes might not always be on your radar. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to keep them as healthy as possible. With the tips above, you can work hard to care for your healthy eyes and improve your vision.
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