Can you imagine life without your eyesight? Your sight is one of the most important senses. You take in the world around you with it, and you need it to navigate, communicate, and comprehend. While those who cannot see can survive, it can severely impact someone who used to be able to see clearly.
If you want to retain your independence, mobility, and quality of life, take good care of your eyes starting now. It’s never too late to do this.
Here are five of the best eye care tips from experts.
#1 Eat Your Way to Better Eye Health
The nutrients in fruits and vegetables support eye health. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), the best antioxidants for eye health include Vitamin A, C, and E, Omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Foods that help keep your eyes healthy include salmon, which is an excellent source of omega-3s; kale and carrots, which are high in vitamin A and beta-carotene; sweet potatoes, which are also high in beta carotene; oysters and pumpkin seeds for zinc; peanuts and hazelnuts, which are rich in vitamin E; and berries, which are rich in vitamin C. A diet rich in these important components can help prevent eye health problem.
#2 Keep Active
Being physically active is good for cardiovascular health. Eye doctors agree that those who have good cardiovascular health have a reduced risk of eye diseases such as retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity and at least two days of strength training every week to help improve vision and eye health. By being physically active, you can maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for medical conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes that can affect eye health.
#3 Manage Screen Time
Eye doctors have recommendations regarding screen time. Whether you are using the computer or a cellphone, experts recommend taking periodic breaks. The 20-20-20 rule states look away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at an object that is 20-feet away. This helps you avoid eye strain, blurry vision, and headaches.
#4 Protect Your Eyes
Think about protecting your eyes from injury or from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Wear the right eye gear as part of your job or when playing sports. Make sure to choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
#5 Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly
You do not have to wait for symptoms before you can see an eye doctor. By the time you experience symptoms, the problem could have become worse. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting an eye exam annually. However, consult an eye doctor for exam recommendations according to your age, lifestyle, and other risk factors. Only an ophthalmologist — a medical doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems — can conduct a comprehensive eye and vision exam.
Eye Doctor/Ophthalmologist in Washington, MO
Advanced Sight Center can provide all your eye care needs. We have board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists on our team who use state-of-the-art procedures to catch vision problems or eye diseases early on and treat/manage them. We also believe in patient education and will give you all the information you need to maintain good eye health.
Don’t take your eyesight for granted any longer. Find out how we can optimize your eye health. To schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists or optometrists, call our eye clinic today at (636) 239-1650 or use our convenient appointment request form. We look forward to helping you maintain your eyes and keeping them as healthy as possible!
