7 Tips for Optimal Eye Health

The majority of people underestimate the value of having proper eye health and clear vision. They do not understand what they have been blessed with until it is too late. This goes for the eyesight as well, which is extremely essential to perform the most critical as well as easy jobs. Be it work, home, or anywhere else, having good eyesight is necessary by all means.

Maintaining optimal eye health and adopting valuable eye care habits help in overcoming vision-related problems such as weak vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Not only the risks decrease but vision loss slows down with age as well.

This is why taking care of eyes is equally important as taking care of any other body part. Let’s look at some easy tips for maintaining optimal eye health, in addition to your yearly comprehensive eye exam.

Tip #1: Maintain a Balanced Diet

Incorporating a balanced diet into your lifestyle is very important to have a clear vision. Try to increase the intake of food items enriched with antioxidants, fish, and leafy vegetables. Omega-3 present in fatty fish like salmon boost the health of the eye significantly. With an adequate intake of multivitamins, proteins, and fresh vegetables, eyesight will improve rapidly. Check out these ten foods that specifically benefit your eye health. For some, changing our diets can sound like a complicated process. We recommend keeping it simple at first. Eat fish one night a week or throw some nuts or citrus fruits in your bag as a snack.

Tip #2: Do not Rub Your Eyes Too Much

Itchy eyes occur for a whole host of reasons: allergies, contacts, makeup irritation. People tend to rub their eyes a lot, just to have temporary relief from the itchiness. This is, however, very harmful for the eyes because of how sensitive they are. By rubbing your eyes, you only cause more damage to them and the itchiness worsens in the end due to the histamines released from rubbing. So avoid rubbing your eyes too much as it can lead to blurry vision from corneal abrasion and infected eyes. If your eyes do itch, apply a clean, damp washcloth over your eyes. You can also get specific drops/medication if you consult with your doctor about the source of the itching.

Tip #3: Keep Your Hands Clean

This one is especially important if you wear contact lenses. We touch thousands of objects throughout the day but only wash our hands every now and then. To avoid eye infections and troubled vision, wash your hands regularly to keep the bacteria away. If you need a refresh on how to thoroughly wash your hands, click here.

Tip #4: Incorporate Exercise in Your Lifestyle

Healthy physical activity leads to effective blood circulation in the body which boosts up the oxygen levels. When this happens, toxins get removed from the eyes and eyesight gets better. Several studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce your risk for common eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, exercise reduces your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can also lead to vision issues.

Tip #5: Stay Away from the Sun

The best way to protect the eyes from the harmful UV (ultraviolet) light is through sunglasses. Wear sunglasses whenever you are outside for UV (A and B) protection. It is important to remember that your sunglasses can also expire! Check out this article to learn more and ensure you’re wearing proper sunglasses that protect your eyes.

Tip #6: Drink More Water

This might sound bizarre, but drinking an adequate amount of water helps in improving eyesight. Did you know your eyes can get dehydrated as well? Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay away from eye-related complications. Drinking water is beneficial to every part of your body, including your eye health. With increased hydration, you will flush your body of excess salt that can cause eye strain.

Tip #7: Distant Yourself from Screens

Always remember that your eyes get affected by the excessive use of computers and mobile phones. Try to minimize your usage as much as possible and maintain a healthy distance from screens. An arm’s length will be good enough to reduce tension around the eyes.

Stay Healthy with Cohen Eye Associates

At Cohen Eye Associates, we believe in taking care of your eyes before you have an issue. Try to follow these eye care tips religiously in order to obtain optimal eye health and stay on the healthy track. Soon, your eyes will thank you for paying attention to them and you will be able to see a clearer, brighter future. We recommend following these tips in addition to getting regular, comprehensive eye exams. For personalized eye care in Downtown Houston, click here or call 713-658-8301 to book an appointment today.