Healthier Eyes: 6 Ways People Can Protect Their Eyes from Damage

Taking care of oneself is vital for a long, healthy, and happy life. That is why people do their best to eat right, exercise, reduce stress and avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits as best they can. When it comes to eye care, though, some people feel lost. They aren’t sure what steps they need to take to ensure the health of their eyes. What steps can people take to protect their eyes from damage?

6 Steps People Can Take to Protect Their Eyes from Damage

Here are six steps people can take to protect their eyes. For specific conditions, they should visit their Boulder eye care specialist for more information regarding how to properly care for their eyes.

1. Visit the Eye Doctor Regularly

Visiting the eye doctor should be just as important as regular checkups at the general practitioner or dentist’s office. Eye examinations shouldn’t wait until the patient notices there is an issue. The best way to protect their eyes is to get regular, annual checkups. Seeing the eye doctor on a regular basis will allow them to detect issues in the early stages, particularly diseases like glaucoma in which there are no symptoms until the disease has advanced.

2. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet

Certain nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin C, and lutein may be able to strengthen the eyes and protect them against certain eye diseases like macular degeneration. These nutrients can be found in leafy green vegetables, salmon, oranges and other fruits, flax and chia seeds, and beans.

3. Wear Sunglasses

The sun can do a lot of damage to one’s eyes. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Look for sunglasses that will block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

4. Quit (Or, Better Yet, Don’t Start) Smoking

Smoking can cause cataracts and contribute to macular degeneration. It can also do damage to the optic nerve. Of course, it would be best to never start smoking.  However, quitting will help to stop damage in its tracks.

5. Utilize Safety Glasses

Whenever a person is working in an area where there will be flying debris, or even playing sports, safety glasses are a must!

6. Take Computer Breaks

Failing to take breaks from the computer screen can lead to eyestrain and blurry vision. It can also lead to headaches and sore shoulders. Every twenty minutes a twenty-second break should be taken. And, every few hours, people should take a five to fifteen-minute break away from the computer. This doesn’t mean they have to stop working, just take a break from constantly looking at the computer.

Optimal Eye Care: Boulder Eye Doctors Have More Suggestions

For anyone who is curious about what more they can do to care for their eyes in the best ways possible, they should consult with a Boulder eye care specialist. Implementing the above steps and seeing their eye doctor regularly will help ensure their eyesight is clear and bright for years to come. 

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