Eye See You! Helpful Eye Care Tips

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.

Get your eyes checked every year. Your eyecare professional can examine your eyes to make sure that there are no underlying problems that are developing. Even if you have good vision, it is important to get your eyes examined once a year. Doing this regularly will ensure that you will have healthy eyes as you get older.

A wide-brimmed hat can be your best friend when outdoors, especially when the sun is shining. A hat offers a lot of protection for your face, including areas like your eyelids where sun can sneak in around the edges of glasses. Eyelids are a fairly common place for melanoma to develop, so cover up outdoors with a stylish hat whenever you can.

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.

Although you may think that sunglasses should only be worn during the summer, the wintertime is also very important to have them on. Snow can reflect lots of light. Even when it does not snow, the sun gives off a strong light.

Avoid exposing your eyes to bright light for a long period of time. The bright light can cause your eye muscles to strain. They can also damage your eyes. If you are out in the sun all day long, wear a hat and a pair of sunglasses that offer UV protection.

Be sure to not only get your vision checked every year, but have a comprehensive exam. This often includes other tests which peer inside the eye to check for conditions such as glaucoma or even diabetes. The sooner you catch these issues, the easier it will be to treat them.

Make sure you have good light when you are reading, especially if the book you are reading has fine print. Although your eyes will not be damaged by reading in dim light, the eye strain it causes will make your eyes feel tired. You should take a break occasionally while reading, especially if your eyes begin to feel tired.

Keep in mind that having eye issues may be inevitable for some. Many eye conditions are hereditary. You can take great care of your eyes and still have major issues. If you have family member with eye problems, you may want to talk to them about which issues run in the family. You can bring up these conditions to your optometrist so that they can watch for the early signs.

To help your eyes when using a computer, use a blinking technique. When you have been using the computer for a half hour or so, look away at something distant. While doing this, blink several times. This change in focus will allow your eyes to relieve strain and focus better on your computer screen.

If you have eyelids that puff out, cucumber slices can help reduce the puffiness. Cut them into 1/4″ slices and leave them on your eyes for 10 minutes. You will find that green tea bags that have been soaked with cold water can also be effective in your battle against inflammation and puffiness.

See an optometrist. As you get older, your eyes do not work as well as they once did. You may not have needed glasses your entire life, but its a good idea to see an optometrist every year, the same as you see a dentist every few months. An optometrist will be able to tell you how your eyes are doing, and you can get glasses if necessary.

Maintain your eyes healthy by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Carrots, which contain beta carotene are particular helpful in keeping your eyes healthy. The reason being that beta carotene is an antioxidant which decreases the risk of getting macular degeneration. Bell peppers, brussel sprouts and broccoli are also good since they have lots of vitamin C.

It is important to have your young children’s checked by a pediatric eye doctor every year. Children’s eyes develop rapidly. Regular check ups can catch any abnormalities that can lead to further problems. If caught early, the eye doctor can take measures to stop a problem before it occurs.

Maintain your ideal weight. Obesity can lead to diabetes. Diabetics usually have many eye problems like glaucoma. If you are overweight, start focusing on losing those extra pounds and getting into shape. Not only will you feel and look better, but it will be a tremendous benefit to the health of your eyes.

Stop smoking. Most people are now aware of the many dangers smoking poses to the lungs. However it also affects your vision. There has been research done that links smoking to optic nerve damage, cataracts and macular degeneration. You may fully or partially lose your vision with these illnesses.

Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese puts you at a heightened risk of developing diabetes. There are two primary eye conditions associated with this devastating disease. They are glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Fortunately, these conditions are completely preventable by maintaining a healthy weight and eating a nutritious diet.

When you are loading up your plate for an evening meal, make sure you have some of the right foods for eye health. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit or tangerines; protein sources besides meat, like eggs, beans and nuts; tuna, salmon and other fish with oil; and leafy, green vegetables all have the right nutrients for healthy eyes.

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.