7 Tips for Healthy Eyes: How to Prevent and Treat Eye Problems
7 Tips for Healthy Eyes, How to Prevent and Treat Eye Problems Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that popping your eyes is the latest weird and wonderful way to get an Instagram-worthy look.
But while this new trend is just a fad, there are many other eye-related things that need our attention more. Sadly, eye problems are a common consequence of bad habits we pick up because we either don’t know any better or think they won’t have any long-term negative effects on our health.
Fortunately for you, and unluckily for us, these 7 warning signs of eye diseases aren’t as obscure as putting your eyes up at every opportunity. The good news is that most eye problems can be avoided with some simple preventative measures and early detection. Let’s take a closer look at some ways to protect your peepers.
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| 7 Tips for Healthy Eyes: How to Prevent and Treat Eye Problems |
Change your habits and monitor your health.
When we’re young and healthy, we rarely think about our health and how it could impact our lives, let alone our eyesight. But as we get older, and especially as we get closer to retirement age, our risk of eye-related diseases and problems increases.
What’s more, our risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure increases our risk of eye problems. So, if you have any underlying health conditions, it’s especially important that you monitor your condition and routinely see an ophthalmologist.
Another thing you can do is change your habits to avoid picking up unnecessary eye problems. Avoid smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and spending too much time staring at screens. All of these habits can lead to eye disorders.
If you regularly wear contact lenses, be sure to change them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and see an optometrist regularly for check-ups.
Check your vision regularly.
One of the best ways to catch eye diseases at an early stage is to have your vision checked on a regular basis. If you wear glasses or contacts, you should have a comprehensive eye exam every year. And if you don’t wear glasses or contacts, you should have a comprehensive eye exam every two years.
However, it’s important to note that not all eye problems are immediately apparent. Some conditions, such as glaucoma, can cause gradual and slow vision loss. Therefore, if you notice any changes in your vision, be sure to schedule an appointment with an optometrist as soon as possible.
Don’t stay in the dark.
Darkness provides a perfect environment for eye infections such as conjunctivitis, iridocyclitis, iritis, and blepharitis to thrive.
Therefore, it’s important to keep your eyes as clean and bacteria-free as possible to avoid these infections. And that means avoiding sharing your eye makeup and cosmetics with others, washing your hands regularly, and using eye drops if your eyes feel dry or irritated.
Eat well, especially for iron and vitamin B12.
As we get older, our bodies produce less vitamin B12, which is essential for a healthy retina, the tissue at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptors and helps us see clearly in the dark.
Therefore, it’s important to eat a balanced diet that includes vitamin B12-rich foods like fish, eggs, and cheese. You should also eat plenty of leafy greens and iron-rich foods such as beans and lentils to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which is the most common eye disease in older people.
Exercise!
Exercising regularly is extremely important for eye health. It can help prevent and manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Additionally, exercise can improve blood flow to the eyes and boost the production of endorphins, which are chemicals that can help ease the symptoms of dry eyes and eye allergies.
However, be sure not to overdo it, as too much exercise can lead to eye injuries such as strains and scratches. Additionally, make sure your workout includes aerobic and resistance training. Aerobic exercise helps reduce your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Resistance training can help you maintain your muscle mass and bone strength as you age.
Get an annual eye exam and keep track of your prescription.
An annual eye exam is essential for maintaining your health and protecting your eyesight. During the exam, your ophthalmologist can detect eye diseases that cause vision loss and ocular pain at an early stage. Some eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can cause vision loss that may not be obvious.
Therefore, if you aren’t sure whether you need a new prescription, it’s best to get it checked out. Eye prescriptions are unique to each individual and change over time. For this reason,
it’s important to keep track of your prescription and be sure to get it checked by your optometrist at least once a year. If you wear contacts, it’s especially important to keep track of your prescription, as changes to your prescription can affect the fit of your contacts.
Conclusion
While popping your eyes may be all the rage now, it’s important to remember that it’s not a healthy practice and can cause damage to your eyes.
Keep your eyes healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, protecting your eyes from infection, and getting an annual eye exam.
If you notice any changes in your vision, be sure to visit your optometrist immediately, as many eye diseases can be treated at an early stage and vision loss can be prevented.
