Caring for Your Eye Health
While having your eyes tested by your primary care doctor in Smithtown, NY is a key component of taking care of your vision; a lot more goes into it. Here are some techniques for improving your vision and maintaining your eye health:- Using sun protection
- Anytime you are in the sunlight, it is important to protect your eyes. Choosing sunglasses that offer 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB blocking is ideal. Adding a hat with a wide brim can also improve your protection.
- Taking on the sun without protection could lead to the development of macular degeneration, cataracts, and pterygium, which may blur your vision.
- Using other protective eyewear
- When playing sports, dealing with construction, or managing chemicals, wearing proper eyewear is essential. Protective goggles provide an extra barrier between your eyes and chemicals, sharp materials, and more.
- Opting for a high-quality pair of goggles makes a big difference. The polycarbonate material of many of these goggles is much stronger and safer than other plastic.
- The 20-20-20 rule
- For those who spend their work day in front of a computer, giving your eyes a break can help reduce strain. This technique includes taking 20 seconds to look at an object 20 feet away from you once every 20 minutes.
- Adjusting your diet
- Incorporating healthy foods with beneficial nutrients is an easy step towards increased eye health. These nutrients include:
- Zinc and Vitamins A, C, and E – help prevent macular degeneration; can be found in vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and citrus
- Omega-3 fatty acids – improve eye health; can be found in salmon and flaxseed
- Lutein and zeaxanthin – carotenoids of the retina; improve eyesight; can be found in broccoli, eggs, and zucchini
- Incorporating healthy foods with beneficial nutrients is an easy step towards increased eye health. These nutrients include:
- Hand hygiene
- The eyes are very sensitive to germs. Touching or rubbing your eyes with dirty hands could lead to infection or irritation, which may worsen your vision. Even putting in contact lenses with dirty hands can cause this.
- Contact lens hygiene
- As for the contact lenses, you must only insert disinfected ones into your eyes. It is also important to change your lenses as instructed. Using the same pair of lenses for too long can lead to the accumulation of germs.
- Do not smoke
- It is important to understand that when smoking is bad for your whole body, your eyes are a part of that. Smoking increases the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.
- If you already smoke, stop as soon as possible. The longer you go without smoking once quitting, the better your body will be.
- Exercising
- Staying fit and healthy can improve overall health and decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those with the condition may develop diabetic retinopathy, in which vision is impacted, and the eye’s blood vessels are damaged.
- Managing eye conditions
- Whether they be in your family’s medical history or dealt with by you, letting your doctor know about relevant conditions is important. They can help you manage or prevent any that could impact your vision.