You might not think about your eye health the same way as your heart or bone health, but they aren’t something you should take for granted.
You can do things to help your eyes stay healthy and functional. Here are a few steps to follow if you want to give yourself the best chance at seeing long into the future.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E may help prevent age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Try eating more:
• Leafy green vegetables like spinach, collards, and kale
• Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
• Eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources
• Oranges and other citrus fruits/juices
• Oysters and pork
Quit Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, damage to the optic nerve, and macular degeneration. If you’ve tried quitting and failed, try again: The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed.
Wear Sunglasses
Too much UV exposure can boost the chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. The right pair of sunglasses can help protect your eyes from powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Choose shades that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. In addition, wraparound lenses can help protect your eyes from the sides.
Look Away From Computer Screens
Staring at a computer, phone, or tablet screen for too long can lead to several issues, including eye strain, blurry vision, trouble focusing on distance, dry eyes, headaches, and neck, back, and shoulder pain.
To protect your eyes from screen viewing, ensure your prescriptions are up to date and take screen breaks every 20 minutes. Look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Keep up with eye doctor appointments. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help protect your sight and catch any potential concerns early.
