New year, healthy eyes!
As people welcome the new year, they usually begin to think about making improvements to their overall health such as working out or focusing more on self-care. But many people forget how important it is to take care of their eye health too.
Here are our top 7 eye health tips to help you keep your eyes in the best shape this year.
Maintain a health body
Everyone knows how important it is to eat right and exercise, but did you know this is also necessary to prevent eye disease? Eating a diet rich in omega-3 and leafy greens to help improve your eye health. So, when you are preparing a meal, make sure to add these great food options to your plate:
● Fish
● Eggs
● Leafy greens
● Nuts
● Citrus fruits
Make sure to keep your sugar intake in check. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of eye health issues such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. A healthy diet paired with regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing these dangerous health conditions.
Wear sunglasses
Even on a cloudy day, the sun's UV rays can impact your eyes. Make sure to always keep your sunglasses with you and ensure you have a high-quality pair that blocks out 100% of UVA and UVB rays for maximum protection.
Quit smoking
Smoking harms your health in so many ways. Not only does it increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung cancer, but it can also seriously damage your eyes. Chemicals released from cigarettes contain carcinogens that can damage the eye and cause health problems like glaucoma and cataracts. It can also significantly affect the progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
Contact lens hygiene
Always make sure to follow proper contact lens care and hygiene. This can reduce your chances of developing an infection or causing damage to your vision. We advise you:
● Wash your hands before inserting or removing contact lenses
● Never use water to clean contact lenses
● Change your contact lenses at the appropriate time (daily, weekly, monthly)
● Never share contact lenses
● Store your contact lenses in a case to prevent scratching if reusable
These simple tips will ensure that your contact lens experience is always safe and comfortable.
Wear protective eyewear
You should always wear protective eyewear when taking part in sports or other activities that may result in eye injury. Remember it is important to use protective eyewear that is designed for a specific task such as safety goggles, sports goggles, or blue light protection glasses. Our experienced Ontario opticians can help you find the right protective eyewear to suit your activity and lifestyle needs.
Family history
Your family history is a window into your health risk factors. Many eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy can be hereditary. Make sure your optometrist has a complete understanding of your vision and medical history so that they can look for signs of eye disease before they cause any potential damage.
Get regular eye exams
Make sure to see your optometrist every one to two years for an eye exam, depending on their recommendation. This will help to ensure your vision is in good shape, prevent existing eye conditions from progressing and verify your prescription is up to date.
Contact us
Vision Advantage has been helping patients see better with professional and friendly service supported by our independent partner optometrists in Bowmanville and Whitby. Contact us for advice on your eye care today.
