How To Maintain Good, Healthy Eyesight

Maintaining healthy vision is more important than getting a regular vision screening. Your overall health can impact your eyesight. Here are 6 tips on how to maintain good eyesight:

1. Eat the Right Foods To Protect Your Eyesight

Fill your plate with foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. These nutrients may help lower your chance of developing macular degeneration or cataracts. If you are looking for ways to indirectly maintain your eyesight, eat a healthy portion of green veggies, salmon, eggs, and citrus fruits. A healthy diet also decreases your chance of diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

2. Gear Up with Protective Eyewear

An estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year, so it is very important to wear proper eyewear to protect yourself from eye injuries.

Whether you’re on the job, working on a home improvement project, or playing hockey with the neighborhood, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses to avoid the risk of anything making contact with your eyes.

3. Always Wear Your Sunglasses

Don’t just use the free pair of shades you picked up at a concert. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to invest in a decent pair of sunglasses that will actually protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Too much UV exposure increases your chances of cataracts.

When picking out your sunglasses, look for 99-100% UVA and UVB radiation protection. And remember to never look directly into the sun!

4. Throw Away Old Makeup

Getting rid of old makeup is essential for maintaining your eye health, as expired products can harbor bacteria that pose a risk to your eyes. Ensure to adhere to expiration dates on your makeup products and prioritize eye safety by refreshing your makeup collection regularly.

• Did you know bacteria grow fast in liquid makeup?
• Replace your products every 3 months to avoid developing an eye infection.
• Never share cosmetics with others and avoid store samples.
• Always clean your face before and after using makeup.

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5. Take Frequent Screen Breaks for Eyesight Health

When you stare at a computer, tablet, or phone screen too long, you may experience eyestrain, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. To avoid these things you should:

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a screen break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
• Find a supportive chair and make sure your screen is at eye level
• Keep your glasses/contacts prescription up to date and suitable for staring at screens
• Remember to blink!

6. Get Regular Eyesight Screenings

Everyone should be getting eye screenings on a regular basis. During the screening, your doctor may recommend you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist if they believe there is a potential vision or eye problem.

Here are some things you can expect during a comprehensive eye exam:

• A review of your health and family history of eye diseases, like glaucoma or macular degeneration
• Vision testing
• A dilated eye exam to check the retina and optic nerve
• A refraction test to determine the sharpness of your near and distant vision

Anyone with symptoms or a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should schedule an appointment with our team of ophthalmologists to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

Need an eye screening? Schedule your appointment with Specialty Eye Institute!