As an online contact lens retailer in Canada and the United States, everything we do pretty much revolves around eyeballs so it’s no wonder we’re all about maintaining healthy eyes. Yet, for most people, when there isn’t a problem they tend to take their peepers for granted. We all know we should exercise and eat our fruits and veggies to keep our body in prime condition, but what about the things we can do to for our vision? Well, it’s never too late to adopt healthy habits. If you don’t know where to start, Fresh Lens is here to help with some of our favorite eye health tips.
Eat a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet
While scarfing down tons of carrots, or any food for that matter, won’t give you superhero vision, your diet will offer you an edge in the disease prevention department. Important eye health vitamins and minerals include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, zinc, lutein and vitamin E. A diet rich in these nutrients can lessen the chances of age-related eye issues like macular degeneration and cataracts as well as things like dry eye syndrome, which is associated with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Regularly snack on leafy, green vegetables, oily fish like salmon, eggs, nuts, beans and citrus fruit to reap the benefits. Plus, eating a balanced diet will help you stay at a healthy weight and potentially avoid diabetes, which may lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can result in vision loss.
Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens
With our smart phones, computers and televisions, we spend a good deal of time staring at a screen. This can lead to digital eyestrain, which manifests itself with symptoms like blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, eye fatigue and light sensitivity. Be sure to take breaks and look away from your screen throughout the day and blink frequently. Read our post on digital eyestrain for in-depth tips on keeping your eyes fresh.
Schedule an Eye Exam
Even if you don’t wear glasses or contact lenses, it’s still important to see an ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly for an eye exam. They’ll evaluate your vision and the overall health of your eyes. If you’re suffering from an eye disease, some of which have no symptoms, it’s always best if it’s caught early on and treated appropriately. Aim to get into your eye care professional’s office once a year for a check-up.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause a whole host of preventable diseases including diseases of the eyes. If you smoke, you’re more than twice as likely to develop macular degeneration and two or three times more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers. Smokers also have a higher chance of getting uveitis, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. The best way to prevent these nightmare eye scenarios? Quit smoking!
Bust Out the Safety Eyewear
Safety goggles might not look sexy but they’re extremely important. If you’re coming into contact with airborne or hazardous materials at home, at work, or anywhere, put on your safety glasses or goggles.
Wear Sunglasses
We love a sunny day as much as the next person but the sun doesn’t always love humans back. The sun’s UV rays can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration so make sure you’re sporting shades whenever you’re exposed to sunlight. Look for sunglasses that block out 99% of ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays and wear them during daylight hours year-round even when it’s cloudy.
Clean Your Contacts Properly
If you wear contact lenses, it’s super important to keep those babies disinfected and to follow the recommended safety guidelines. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk for developing dangerous eye infections. Check out our guide to cleaning your contact lenses.
Keeping your eyes healthy is just as important as maintaining the health of the rest of your body. Incorporate these tips into your daily life and protect your vision. You know what else can help you see more clearly? High-quality, yet affordable, contact lenses. We just happen to have a huge selection at Fresh Lens. Order your contacts online and if you live in the U.S. or Canada, we’ll ship them for free.
Related Articles:
- Contact Lenses Explained
- 5 Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Eye Strain
- 7 Things College Kids Shouldn't Do With Contact Lenses
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