It’s a fact of life that many of us suffer from impaired vision as we get older. Quite often, we need to wear glasses or contact lenses because of short or long-sightedness, and some of us fall prey to other eye disorders that can affect our ability to see clearly. 

How to protect your eyesight?

Now, we can’t delay the aging process, but we can take steps to protect our eyesight and prevent the onset of conditions that could limit our vision. By doing so, we will be able to enjoy many of the things we take for granted in life, such as reading a book, going for a drive, and taking in the beauty of the scenery around us. 

So, for your information, here are just a few of the ways in which you can protect your eyesight and save your vision.

1. Go for a regular eye exam

Many of us understand the importance of seeing our doctors and our dentists on a regular basis, but if our eyesight appears fine, we might put off going to see our opticians. This is a mistake, as this is the only way we can be sure that our eyes are fully healthy. 

Eyecare professionals use specialist techniques to spot the early onset of a range of eye conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts, alongside other health-related issues, such as diabetes. They can also test the quality of our vision and recommend corrective eye surgery or prescription glasses if needed. 

So, even if you think your eyesight is okay, don’t take any chances. Annual eye exams should be considered a necessity, so make the relevant appointment.

2. Wear the right prescription glasses

If you wear the wrong prescription glasses, you will cause unnecessary strain on your eyes. While this won’t necessarily make your eyesight go worse, you will feel a lot of discomfort, and your vision will be restricted. 

So, again, make an appointment with your local eye care professional and change your glasses (or your contact lenses) if you need to. You can also do this online, as websites such as eyeglasses.com offer this service. You can find it here. By changing your glasses online or off, you will preserve the quality of your vision and reduce the consequences of eye strain, such as eye dryness and headaches.

3. Take a break from your screens

How many hours a day do you spend looking at the various screens in your life? We are talking about your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or television. According to studies, many of us spend longer than we should glued to our various devices, so if you are guilty of the same, take a break. When you focus for too long a period on any screen, you can experience eyestrain and fatigue. 

If you have to work on your computer, experts suggest the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. You will protect yourself from digital eye strain if you do, the symptoms of which can include dryness, itchy eyes, and redness. 
And in your leisure time, do more than staring at your screens for hours at a time. Do something else instead. So, you might play games with your family, show love to your dog by taking him for a walk, chill out in the garden with a book, or any other activity that doesn’t involve the glare of a screen.

4. Take your vitamins

Research has shown that Vitamins A, C, and E are all excellent for eye health. They contain those properties that can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a condition that could one day cause you severe vision problems. The best way for you to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet, so be sure to eat your fruits and vegetables, alongside the relevant juices and smoothies.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for good eye health, as they can minimize the risk of age-related eye conditions, so add some of these foods to your weekly meal plan. Alternatively, consider supplements from your local health store too, for all of your vitamin and nutrient needs, especially when you’re averse to certain foods.

5. Quit smoking

You already know that smoking is bad for you – it even says so on the cigarette packet – so if you are guilty of this habit, you should make every effort to give it up. There is some advice here to help you kick this habit into touch. By doing so, you will reduce the risk of lung-related diseases, and you will improve your chances of a longer life. You will also reduce the risk of a range of eye diseases, as there is a link between smoking and vision loss. 

So, if you ever needed another incentive to give up smoking, let the long-term health of your eyes be it. Seek support if you need to, and try to take up habits that will prolong your life instead of something that will damage it. 

6. Practice good hygiene

Of course, we probably don’t need to tell you about the importance of good hygiene. By keeping yourself clean, you will obviously smell a lot nicer, and you will reduce the spread of illness and infection. At the time of writing, this is especially important, as we are living in a pandemic situation. 

But what does this have to with your eye health? Well, if you don’t wash your hands before touching your eyes, you run the risk of a variety of eye infections. While some of them can only cause short-term issues, there are others that can lead to long-time vision problems, including blindness. You can learn about them in our previous link.

So, keep your hands clean with water and the appropriate hand sanitizers, and resist the urge to rub your eyes. Make sure your hands are clean when inserting contact lenses too, and always clean away makeup from your eyes before going to bed at night. 

We hope this info helped!

Look after your eyes today, and you will be able to see long into the future. 

Take care, and thanks for reading!