Eye Care 101: Some Tips And Advice

We visit the optometrist once per year to ensure we can read thanks to glasses, but there’s more to eye care than that. In fact, how much do you really know about caring for your eyes? If it isn’t much, check out the tips below to learn all you can today.

You should try eating a proper diet to better care for your eyes. A good diet for maintaining eye health should include items that contain zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, vitamin C, and vitamin E. To get these nutrients, try eating items like dark leafy greens, oily fish, eggs, nuts, and citrus fruits.

Always wash your hands before you touch your eyes. Your fingers are covered with bacteria because your hands touch surfaces that other people have touched. If you touch your eyes without washing your hands, you will transfer bacteria to your eyes and cause irritation or even an infection. Therefore, before touching your eyes, wash your hands with soap and water.

Eat a healthy diet to help take care of your eyes. Certain foods, particularly those high in vitamins C and E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes as you age. Aim for green leafy vegetables, “oily” fish, beans, eggs, nuts, and citrus foods for best results.

A major way to protect the eyes is by wearing sunglasses. Even when it’s cloudy, you need protection from UV rays. When you decide on a pair of sunglasses, choose ones that offer UV protection. While they will probably cost more, the proper care of your eyes is at stake.

When you are reading, make sure that you have adequate lighting. Reading in low light can cause your eyes to strain unnecessarily. This can lead to eye discomfort and potential problems. Read by a window that provides bright light, or turn on more lights indoors when you are reading at night.

Visit a vision specialist at least once a year for a comprehensive exam. Even if you can see fine, there may be issues going on. If left undetected, some of them can create huge problems down the line. Properly treated, you may be able to avoid vision challenges that were headed your way.

Position your computer monitor at the ideal distance from your eyes. If your monitor is positioned too high or too close, it can cause you eye strain. Eyes that are stressed are prone to develop more problems down the road. The computer screen should be positioned at eye level and at least at an arm’s distance.

Remember to replace your contact lenses at least once every three months. Two months is actually a much better target, or even one month. Many people forget to replace their contacts as frequently as they should, which later leads to more serious problems in the eyes, such as irritation, ulcers, or infections.

Use protective eyewear when working with strong chemicals or you are in an area where airborne particles may pose a danger to your eyes. Many people have sustained eye injuries while doing woodworking projects or being outdoors during very windy weather. You should also wear goggles when swimming in chlorinated water.

When you are staring at a computer for long periods of time you blink less often. This can lead to eye fatigue. To combat it, remember the phrase 20-20-20. This means Every twenty minutes give your eyes a break by looking into the distance twenty feet away, for twenty seconds. It will refresh your eyes and prevent eye strain.

Always take out your contact lenses before you sleep. Contact lenses that are left inside the eyes for too long will harbor bacteria growth. You should remove your contact lenses every night and disinfect them properly. Failing to do so will just set you up for more frequent eye infections.

Always wear proper eye protection. Every year, thousands of people end up blinded due to improper protection gear at work. Whenever you are working with chemicals or machinery that can cause small debris to fly, protect your eyes. A simple set of protective glasses can mean the difference between seeing and being blind.

While sunglasses are helpful for protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, it may also be wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat. Wearing this kind of hat prevents any UV rays from reaching your whole face, including your eyes. So, if you know you will be outdoors for a long period of time, wear this kind of hat.

If you use contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands before touching them. There are all sorts of germs and viruses which can enter your body through your eye. The last thing you want is an eye infection, or even a cold or the flu, so wash up first!

If you are staring at the television or computer for long periods of time, take breaks often. Blood flow increases and your mind will be refreshed. As a result, your eyes will feel better and be under less strain.

Try to stop smoking. Smoking can cause blood vessels to constrict. This can also damage the nerves in your eyes. Find ways for eliminating or reducing your smoking to help protect your eyes.

Just like you keep your face clean, make sure your eyes stay clean as well! It is easy for bacteria to enter the eyes, causing an infection. Always make sure your hands are clean when putting in your contacts. Apply makeup carefully, and do not allow a tissue that you’ve sneezed in to touch your eyes.

If your eyes get irritated and dry while you sleep, try an eye ointment. This will lubricate your eyes and last a while due to the fact that they aren’t water based. The only problem that happens is some blurriness, so it’s probably best that use it right before bedtime.

It is important that you visit your optometrist every year to check your vision, but you should also be checking into the health of your eyes. Learning about eye care today will ensure your eyes serve you well tomorrow. Be sure to make use of every tip so you can see the great results.