Eye Care Tips
Here’s what you need to do to take care of your eyes and vision:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Maintain your weight in the healthy range. Healthy eyes can only exist in a healthy body. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Red, yellow and green leafy vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts and flaxseed are especially good for your eyes.
- exercise regularly . Regular exercise can prevent or control diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. All of these diseases can lead to some eye diseases, so make sure you control your BP, blood sugar and serum cholesterol.
- Wear sunglasses when outside. Direct exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of cataract and AMD (Age related macular degeneration). Choose sunglasses that provide 100% protection from both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
- Wear protective eye wear. Special protective glasses can prevent eye injuries. This is especially required for certain sports, jobs such as construction, and for hobbyists.
- Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of AMD, cataracts and glaucoma.
- Be aware of your family medical history. Certain eye diseases are inherited, and tend to run in families. Your doctor can then, especially, monitor your eyes to keep them safe.
- Be careful about hand hygiene: make sure you do not touch your eyes without washing your hands. This is especially true for contact lens users. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your contact lenses. You must clean your lenses as instructed, and wear them only for the prescribed duration. In case your eyes are red, do not wear contact lenses, and contact your eye doctor immediately.
- Give your eyes some rest. To reduce eyestrain, try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes in front of a screen or book, close your eyes for 20 seconds, open your eyes and look at something at least 20 feet away. Remember to blink more often, and decrease your screen time whenever feasible. Also, use the night mode/ decrease brightness of the screen whenever possible.
- Don’t forget your regular eye checks. Once a year if you’re older than 40, and once every alternate year if younger. In case you need glasses, a yearly eye exam is recommended.