Ways to Protect Your Eye Health Every Day

Unfortunately, loss of face is more common than you might think. World Health Organisation states that at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have a visual impairment at either near or far distances. In at least 1 billion of these cases, the visual impairment was preventable or has not yet been addressed.

Fortunately, you do have some control over protecting your eye health and preventing vision loss. Protecting your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are simple steps you can take every day to maintain your eye health as you age.

1. Wear sunglasses

Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, increasing your risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection from the sun’s rays and reduce glare.

Read more: Best prescription sunglasses

2. Take breaks from the screen

Prolonged use of screens can cause dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndromeThe American Optometric Association recommends the use of the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

3. Take breaks to read books

Screen time isn’t the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it close to you for a long time. Both activities can lead to myopiaor myopia, which means that distant objects are blurry, while objects up close are clear. Just as you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take breaks from the screen, you should also use this rule to take breaks from your book. If you find yourself getting absorbed in what you’re reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don’t miss your breaks.

4. Move your body

Regular exercise can help eye health benefitssuch as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, reports the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also do eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk.

Read more: 7 Fitness Tricks to Exercise Painlessly Every Day

5. Go outside

Children and adults need to go outside often, even if they get their recommended exercise. Research shows that children who spending time outdoors have a lower risk of developing myopia in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, hiking in the woods, or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Just make sure to wear your sunglasses!

6. Stop smoking

It is common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts and up to four times more likely to develop AMD. Future research may determine whether smoking also causes glaucoma, Graves’ disease, thyroid disease, and promotes diabetic retinopathy. To improve your health, make a quit plan.

7. Eat balanced meals

The food you eat every day can Improve your eye healthEating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can promote cell growth, reduce inflammation in eye tissue and limit the amount of free radicals that can damage your eyes.

To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these in your meals: food in your regular diet, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, melon, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango
• Vitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers
• Vitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds
• Omega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Kale, broccoli, eggs, peas, collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens
• Zinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meat, oysters, fortified grains, poultry

Read more: Best Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health

8. Don’t rub your eyes

Rubbing your eyes frequently can cause eye problems. damage or infections. Dry eyes and tired eyes can make you want to rub your eyes, and some people rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to problems such as blurred or blurred vision, headaches, inflammation, and eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid rubbing your eyes is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands can lead to conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline solution to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the temptation and find something else to keep your hands busy until you break the habit.

9. Wash your hands

You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and before handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses and about one in three wearers experiences complications, while one in five contact lens infections causes damage to the cornea.

Furthermore, there is no telling what types of bacteria have already contaminated an object you have touched. Wash your hands regularly can reduce your risk According to the CDC, this can reduce the risk of respiratory illness by 21% and diarrhea by 40%.

10. Remove your makeup

After a long day, the last thing on your mind is removing your eye makeup before going to bed. This is good for your eye health and can reduce your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network.

You should also adopt good makeup habits that can save your skin and eyes, such as using only products specifically formulated for the eyes, changing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup to the inside of your eyelids, and never sharing eye makeup with anyone else. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.