The Eyes Have It! How to Maintain Good Eye Health

Good vision is an important part of your daily life. Your eyesight helps you to do well at work, at home and behind the wheel.  It's essential to keep your eye health in top shape.  The easiest way to protect your vision is to have regular eye exams with an optometrist.   

Here are some other ways to keep your eyes healthy at any age. 

Healthy foods are important to eye health 

Choose foods rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C; and leafy, green vegetables and fish are helpful to healthy eyes. Fatty fish, such as salmon, contains essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the macula's health, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. Too many antioxidants, alcohol consumption, or saturated fats can create free-radical reactions that can harm macula. Also, foods high in fat can cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. The blood vessels that feed the eyes are especially sensitive to this blockage.  

Exercise helps your eyes too 

Exercise does the body good and the eyes too. Even mild exercise improves blood circulation in your body, and that includes the eyes. Improved circulation delivers oxygen to the eyes and helps to remove toxins. 

Get a good night's sleep 

Your eyes will feel better when you get the sleep you need. Enough rest will support your eye health; you'll look great and perform better at your daily tasks.  

Wash your hands 

Keeping your hands clean is so important when it comes to your eyes, especially if you're wearing contact lenses. Before you touch your eye or put in or remove a contact lens, wash your hands with mild soap and dry with a lint-free towel. Some germs and bacteria from your hands can cause serious eye infections, like bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). Touching or rubbing your eyes is one way you can catch a cold because whatever is on your fingers goes right onto your eye's surface. 

Smoke is terrible for your body and your eyes. 

Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. While the connection has not been thoroughly studied, it’s known that smoking increases your risk for various health conditions that affect the eye.  

Wear your shades 

Sunglasses help to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. The best sunglasses have both UVA and UVB protection. Also, wearing a wide brim hat can reduce the amount of UV radiation to your eyes. Bonus: You’ll look super cool as well.  

Be careful of too much screen time 

You're probably using digital devices for hours each day at work and home. These devices are exposing your eyes to a high-energy blue light. Blue lights are wavelengths emitted near the bluer part of the spectrum. Lutein & Zeaxanthin are eye nutrients concentrated in the macula and help filter out the blue light. Lutein and Zeaxanthin can’t be produced by our bodies and must be obtained through supplements and vitamins-rich foods.  

If you spend time on a computer, here are some other ways to help reduce blue light:  

• Position your computer screen 20 to 24 inches from your eye. 

• Position the top of your computer screen slightly below your eye level. 

• Adjust lighting around your computer to minimize glare on the screen. 

• Use the 20/20/20 rule by taking a break every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 

• When your eyes become irritated or dry, use lubricating eye drops.