Maintaining healthy vision is more than getting a regular vision screening. Your overall health can impact your eyesight. Here are 6 tips for maintaining good eyesight.
Eat the Right Foods
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.
Use 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.
Always Wear 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 shopping for your next pair of sunglasses, look for 99-100% UVA and UVB protection.
Throw Away Old Makeup
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.
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:
Take a screen break every 20 minutes
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!
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 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 in Ann Arbor, MI to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.