I recently went to the eye doctor and for some reason my eyesight was better than ever. My doctor actually reversed my prescription; if you can believe that! One of my eyes is now back to 20/20 vision, so I started researching how I could get my other eye on the same track. Your eyes are essential to your overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, many people ignore their eyes until they experience a problem. Eye problems can be frustrating because they make it difficult to function normally throughout the day. However, there are many things you can do to ensure that your eyes remain healthy.
I wanted to share the tips I found during my research that help with healthy eyes and eyesight. These are some essential eye care tips you could follow regularly to help your overall vision and self-care practice. Remember, I am not a doctor, so I am just sharing the tips I am implementing in my routine.
How to Take Care of Your Eyesight
As with any self-care regimen, consistency is key. It’s difficult to do ALL things at once, and if you are like me, you can easily get overwhelmed trying to implement everything at the same time. So my suggestion is to try one or two of these tips to ensure that your eyes remain health. Let’s get this eye party started!
Eat a balanced diet.
Do you want your eyesight to be as strong as possible? Then make sure that you eat a balanced diet. The nutrients in specific foods can help protect your eyes from damage and disease. Other nutrients can cause eye problems if they are insufficient. For example, lutein is an antioxidant that helps prevent macular degeneration. Zeaxanthin has been shown to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Get regular exercise for healthy eyesight.
You might wonder how exercise can affect your eyesight, but it does. Being overweight increases your risk of vision problems like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. So being active is vital for keeping your body in good shape. Exercise also reduces stress. Stress is linked to eye health problems like dry eye syndrome and cataracts.
Limit your exposure to digital screens to maintain healthy eyesight.
Digital screens, like computers and smartphones, emit blue light. This can damage your eyes. It’s hard to notice any symptoms early. But this exposure may increase your risk of developing eye problems like eyestrain. To protect yourself from blue light, try to limit screen time to two hours per day or less, or try implementing a digital detox routine. Make sure that you wear sunglasses with blue light filters. This is vital if you spend more time in front of digital screens.
Wash your hands before touching your eyes.
Our hands are sources of many germs that can cause infections. To help prevent eye infections, wash your hands with warm water and soap. Do this for at least 20 seconds before touching your eyes—and clean the backs of your hands, too. Use a clean towel or tissue when wiping away tears from the corners of your eyes. If you have allergies, try using a clean towel or tissue to wipe away tears instead of using your fingers.
Remove your contacts before showering, swimming, or wetting your face.
There’s no problem with wearing contacts. Some people prefer them. But you should remove your contacts before showering, swimming, or wetting your face. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and contaminants on the contact lenses. Consider wearing glasses if you can’t remember to take out your contacts every night. And don’t forget about contact lens solutions—you may need to use them daily.
Limit your alcohol intake
If you like drinking a little too often, there are plenty of health reasons that you should lighten up on it. For one, alcohol can have effects on your vision and eye health. Aside from the immediate term tunnel vision, it can also become a chronic problem, leading to blurred vision, irritation, and pain due to dehydration and poor lubrication. Start by learning how to flush alcohol out of your system and try to reduce your habit over time. If you need help doing so, there are plenty of professional services that can help with that.
Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB light.
UV light is a significant cause of eye damage, so wearing sunglasses is essential. You can purchase prescription fashion glasses with a UV-blocking coating. They’ll provide adequate protection from UVA and UVB rays (at least 99%). You can get glasses online or at a local optometrist’s office. Check with your doctor about the best sunglasses for your lifestyle and needs.
Get a dilated eye exam every two years.
Most people neglect how vital regular eye checkups can be. It would help if you visited an optometrist regularly. It increases your chances of catching any eye problems before they become serious. A dilated eye exam is a simple but essential tool. It lets your optometrist examine your eyes to detect any vision issues.
Pamper your healthy eyes with a warm compress every day.
We’re often so busy caring for ourselves that we neglect our eyes. But it’s important to remember that your eyes are a delicate part of your body and need special care. A warm compress is an easy way to give your peepers some TLC. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and place it over closed eyelids for about 10 minutes each day. This can reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome and improve overall eye health.
So there you have it my top 9 tips for healthy eyesight! Even if you just grabbed one new habit from my list then my work here is done. Taking care of your eyes is essential, and it’s never too early to start. Starting a healthy eye care routine early can prevent vision problems later in life. Keep these tips in mind as you look after your peepers today. Also, visit your optometrist regularly so they can check for any issues.
Do you have other healthy habits I may have missed? Share in the comments below or on my latest Instagram.
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XO
EV
As one of Miami’s top bloggers, Evelyn Torres has become one of the leading voices in fitness, fashion, and Miami. Brickellista started as a Twitter alias in 2009 and has expanded to become a lifestyle blog capturing a Miami girl’s perspective. Evelyn is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, brand ambassador and on the pulse of the Miami social scene.
Today as founder and Managing Director of BrickellistaFiles.com, Evelyn is not only the face of BrickellistaFiles, but oversees the strategy and direction. She is the driving force behind the brand and has built the go-to site for everything Miami.