It’s easy to take your eyes’ health for granted. When your eyesight is good, and you have no irritation, it’s easy to forget about going to your eye doctor. But an ounce of prevention goes a long way since it’s sometimes too late when your notice a problem. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to maintain your eye health and keep your sight in the tip-top shape.
Watch what you eat
The benefit of carrots for eyesight is an old wives’ tale, but there are other fruits and vegetables that will boost your eye health. Dark leafy greens like Kale, Brussels sprouts, and spinach, as well as fruits like blueberries are rich sources of lutein that will prevent loss of vision. Omega-3 found in cold water fish will reduce inflammation in the eyes’ blood vessels.
Keep the air moist
Heating systems used in winter will leave the air dry and cause eye irritation. Invest in a portable humidifier to inject moisture to the air. Pet hair, dust and other irritants can cause inflammation in the eyes so talk to your eye doctor about an appropriate solution.
Make an appointment to visit your ophthalmologist
Visit your eye doctor at least once a year to diagnose eye diseases. This is a form of preventative maintenance as most problems can be treated if they’re detected early. If you’re likely to forget about making that yearly appointment, add it to your calendar and set reminders. You can even ask the doctor to set up yearly appointments and have his reception call to remind you of the date.
Replace your contact lens case
Your lens case is a breeding ground for bacteria so replace them as much as once every two months. Clean and dry the case after you put on your contacts and store in a place where it would not be exposed to bacteria and air humidity – so storage in your bathroom or handbag is not ideal. Your contact lenses may be another source of irritation. Talk to your doctor about proper care for your lens and replace them when needed. If you forgot or lost your prescription, sites that let you order contact lenses online with no prescription take the hassle out of replacing contact lens.
Watch your caffeine intake
Caffeinated beverages have been proven to protect against dry eyes. But you should limit your intake to two servings a day since too much caffeine will drain your tear films and cause dryness.
Take a break from the computer
Working in front of the computer all day could be taxing on your eyes. Give your eyes a break from the strain of focusing on a bright computer screen. Maintain a comfortable distance between your eyes and the screen –an arm’s distance should be sufficient.
Your eyes are your windows to the world, but with all the abuse they take it’s vital that you take proactive measures to ensure their health.
Elizabeth Garvey is a life coach. She loves to share good tips on healthy living and lifestyle blogs.
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