Our eyes are undoubtedly one of the most essential organs we have. Eyes do so much for us. They help us see the world, drive places, watch television, and play games. Some of the things we use our eyes for even help us stay healthy, like washing our hands and cleaning our teeth. They work together with the brain to help us learn. When we’re born, our eyes are still developing for the first six months, which is why babies are so curious about what’s going on around them. When our eyes don’t work as we need them to, that can cause problems with our body. Bad eyesight can affect everything, from how we see to how we walk. It’s important that we take good care of our eyes because they help make life fun.
Caring for the eyes doesn’t always mean buying the most expensive prescription eyeglasses. There are initiatives we can all take towards better eye care. Coming up with a home treatment plan is part of making sure one’s eyes can see their best. Here are six tips that anyone can follow to maintain clear vision and healthy eyes.
A Balanced Diet
There is a range of foods that may help to minimize eye discomfort and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Fruits and vegetables, particularly deep yellow and green leafy vegetables, are rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in the body. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids – such as salmon, tuna, and halibut – have been shown to reduce inflammation, which can damage the retina.
Healthy Weight
Diabetic retinopathy occurs because diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the back of the eyes. These blood vessels leak fluid or hemorrhage and can cause blind spots, blurred vision, and blindness. The risk increases if one has diabetes and also is overweight or obese.
Exercising Regularly
Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking. It may help prevent or control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These diseases can lead to some eye and vision problems.
Wearing Sunglasses
Avoiding the sun is one of the best steps one can take to help prevent eye problems like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Research has shown that prolonged UV exposure and sunburns in childhood or adolescence may slightly increase the risk of developing these two serious eye diseases later in life.
Wearing Protective Eyewear
For the best protection against eye injuries, wear protective eyewear. When working around potentially dangerous equipment, wearing a face shield is the most important safety precautions one can take. Face shields also come in handy when one needs to work on hot or sharp surfaces or when doing heavy construction work or projects at home.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking impairs blood flow to the retina, raises the risk of developing age-related eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration, and can damage the optic nerve. This can result in irreversible vision loss.
