Wearing Sunglasses
Sunglasses protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays (UV). Too much UV exposure increases your chances of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Most sunglasses protect from UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) light rays. Polarised lenses help to reduce glare from light-reflecting surfaces like water, glass or snow and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Use Safety Eye Wear
If you use hazardous or airborne materials at home or at work, wear safety glasses or protective goggles. This includes DIY, gardening or sports. Protect your eyes when playing any sports involving flying objects to avoid eye injury. Always wear protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses to shield your eyes for sports.
Stop smoking
Smoking increases your chances of getting cataracts, age-related macular degeneration or damage to your optic nerve and, furthermore, sight loss.
Eat well
Keeping your eyes healthy starts with what is on your plate! Certain nutrients can help prevent age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Ensure you get plenty of Zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. Dark green vegetables, blueberries, salmon, eggs and citrus fruits all contain the vitamins and nutrients needed to keep your eyes healthy. It is important to maintain a well-balanced diet; this lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases like Diabetes. The leading cause of blindness in adults is Type 2 Diabetes.
Take care of your contact lenses
When wearing contact lenses, you must wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling them. Do not swim in contact lenses, and never clean your lenses or the contact lens case with anything other than what your optometrist has recommended for you.
Have Regular Eye examinations
Did you know that the eye is the only organ in our body where we can see the entire nervous system without the need for invasive procedures or surgery? Hence, optometrists can detect a vast range of unrelated illnesses and eye conditions not related to sight when performing eye examinations. Lots of eye conditions are genetic which increases your chances of developing them, it is vital your optometrist’s are made aware of this.