In the modern age, we place more strain and stress on our eyes than ever before as a society. With the average person spending at least two hours and 52 minutes on their mobile phones, it’s hardly surprising that thousands of people now live with pain, discomfort, and problems with their vision.
Whether you work behind a computer screen every day or you’re simply looking for ways to kickstart your health routine, it’s worth reading our concise guide to caring for your eye health.
Table of Contents
4 key steps towards good eye health
1. Get your eyes tested regularly
Frequent eye health examinations give you the best idea of what’s going on with your eyes. From early intervention with health conditions to monitoring any changes in the quality of your vision, professional eye exams keep you up to speed with your eye health.
Try to book an appointment with your optician or optometrist at least once every year, even if you’ve not noticed any obvious issues. These simple tests not only determine whether you need to wear or change your glasses but could identify the possibility that toric contact lenses could be the most appropriate solution for your vision.
2. Eat well and exercise
Nutrition plays a key role in supporting your overall health, including that of your eyes.
When you include foods that are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you reduce the risk of age-related eye conditions and promote optimal eye health, too.
Furthermore, exercise doesn’t just help to improve your overall physical health but could almost entirely cut your risk of developing issues with your eyes. Cardiovascular exercise is proven to be beneficial for people with eye conditions like glaucoma, largely thanks to increased blood flow.
3. Follow the 20-20-20 rule
If you work behind a screen, it’s highly likely that you’ve been putting your eyes under more pressure than they can naturally cope with. Symptoms like blurred vision, dryness, and headaches are associated with computer vision syndrome, which is increasingly common in the digital era.
One way to combat this issue is to follow the 20-20-20 rule if you look at a screen for prolonged periods throughout the day. To alleviate the strain, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and try to focus on something that’s at least 20 feet away from you. This simple habit can reduce fatigue and give your eyes a chance to rest.
4. Protect your eyes
Lastly, it’s always worth making the effort to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and other environmental hazards. Wearing sunglasses in the summer, swimming goggles when you’re underwater, and protective eye shields at work could help you reduce physical eye injuries. If you’re unsure whether flying debris could harm your eyes, it’s worth erring on the side of caution.
Wearing glasses or specially adapted contact lenses can also help to reduce the strain on your eyes, but you should always consult a professional before trying a new pair. Additionally, we’d always recommend wearing wide-brimmed hats or caps for added protection when you’re out and about in peak summer daylight hours.
Featured Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay
