Ocular health is a critical but often overlooked part of your overall health. You rely on your eyes every day to see and analyze the world, and it can be easy to take that sight for granted.
Over time, though, the development of eye diseases can result in vision loss, making it critical that you seek treatment for eye diseases as soon as you notice their symptoms, and engage in preventative health measures that will keep your eyes in good condition.
Here’s a quick overview of how to keep your eyes healthy with some simple steps:
- Maintain a healthy diet: A healthy diet is an important part of keeping all of your body’s systems and functions healthy. Fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are yellow, orange or leafy green, are known to be good for your eyes, as are foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon.
- Wear sunglasses: Extensive exposure to the sun can damage your eyes and increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration (among other eye issues related to age). If you know you’re going to be out in the sun, make sure you wear sunglasses that are effective at blocking UV radiation.
- Exercise: Regular exercise doesn’t just help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help you prevent health problems such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure that can lead to some vision or eye problems. Regular exercise lowers the risk of those issues.
- Maintain your contacts: If you wear contact lenses, make sure you take the proper steps to prevent eye infections and to keep them in good shape. You should always wash your hands before putting in or taking out your contacts, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly clean them. Don’t go too long using the same pair of contacts—replace them as needed to prevent infection or potential eye injury.
- Don’t smoke: Smoking causes a wide range of preventable health problems, including macular degeneration and cataracts. If you’re already a smoker, this is just one of many reasons for you to look into quitting.
- Go easy on your eyes: Some people’s jobs require them to stare at a computer or other screen most of the day. This is unavoidable, but if you know you need to spend a lot of time looking at the screen, you should take regular eye breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, you should look 20 feet away from you for about 20 seconds. That will go a long way toward helping you avoid eye problems.
- Consider your risk factors: Beyond considering how to keep your eyes healthy, you should also consider some of the particular risk factors you face. Awareness of these risk factors, such as age, health conditions and family history, can help you better manage your ocular health.
Perhaps the best strategy for maintaining good eye health is to schedule regular eye exams, so you can have your eyes analyzed by a professional. An eye doctor can also provide you with personalized strategies for how to keep your eyes healthy.
Contact Hetzler Ocular Prosthetics Inc. for more information about maintaining good ocular health.