It’s easy to take our eyesight for granted in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But maintaining a good vision is no guarantee. With a few quick tips we can protect our vision by making smart decisions every day, as follows:
1. Put space between you and the movie. Sit at a distance equivalent to at least five times the width of your TV screen.
2. Include eye-healthy foods in your meal. Foods containing vitamin C (papayas, red bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, oranges) or antioxidants such as lutein and beta-carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, kale, broccoli) may help reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
3. Get regular…with your eye exams. There is no better way to protect your vision than an eye exam, as many eye diseases have no easily detectable symptoms. Adults should have eye exams every two years, or at the direction of their optometrist.
4. Take 20. Look away from your computer screen for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.
5. Protect your baby blues (or greens or browns). Wear proper protective eyewear when undertaking major indoor or outdoor work, and wear sunglasses outside even when the sun isn’t shining – UV rays are harmful to your eyes year-round.
6. Have the conversation. If you have eye irritation from allergies, inflammation, infection or injury, don’t assume it will go away on its own. Unusual visual symptoms can require treatment to resolve, or, in some cases, indicate a more serious vision problem.
