What To Know
- Going through this series of tests can be the only way to detect and diagnose a disease in its early stages, offering the best chance of cure and making it easier to manage.
- Likewise, when you have great vision, you won't have to wear glasses all the time, which is a good thing, as glasses can be a hindrance in some aspects.
Maintain good eyesight: Good vision helps you meet multiple responsibilities and perform tasks independently. For some jobs, excellent vision gives you an advantage during the recruitment phase, increasing your chances of scoring your dream role. Likewise, when you have great vision, you won’t have to wear glasses all the time, which is a good thing, as glasses can be a hindrance in some aspects.
Eye Health Tips
Your eyes play a crucial role in your health and welfare. For instance, most individuals rely on their eyes to make sense of the world and improve their ability to complete activities, boosting their economic, emotional, and social well-being. Ergo, excellent vision can potentially contribute to an improved quality of life.
Unfortunately, some people may suffer from eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration because of bad habits and aging. If such disorders are left untreated, it can progress and result in central vision loss or even complete blindness.
For this reason, people are encouraged to take preventative steps to maintain good eyesight. Continue reading to know how you can look after your eye health.
1. Schedule A Visit With An Eye Doctor
You can’t identify progressive eye problems without the aid and diagnosis of your doctor. Hence, it’s essential to schedule an annual vision screening and checkup to know the status of your eyes, correct vision problems, and treat diseases early. In certain situations, an eye exam might give you clues about your overall health.
Your healthcare provider might also suggest a comprehensive eye exam during your appointment if the need arises. Note that some eye illnesses don’t have obvious signs and symptoms. Going through this series of tests can be the only way to detect and diagnose a disease in its early stages, offering the best chance of cure and making it easier to manage.
If you’re still a student, take advantage of routine eye checkups in your school clinic and ask your provider how you can best care for your eyes. In the same vein, medical professionals working in hospitals should maximize the vision screening discounts offered by their eye centers.
2. Manage Screen Time
Keeping one’s eyes in tip-top shape can be pretty challenging, especially with more people getting hooked to their gadgets and computer screens. This situation may be particularly true for people working from home. The boundaries between work and rest can start to blur, affecting one’s eye health.
Suppose you have to work on your computer the entire day; if so, make sure to establish some screen time rules. For instance, make sure to blink often and stand every once in a while to do a few stretches. Apart from looking after your eye health, leaving your seat to do a couple of movements will help you maintain good spine health and keep you from being sedentary.
The National Eye Institute suggests practicing the 20-20-20 rule. This rule states that for every 20 minutes, you should look away from your monitor and focus on another object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Observing this rule lets you minimize screen time and prevent eyestrains and headaches.
Besides this, make it a habit to nap during lunchtime. This can help you rest your eyes and recharge your batteries before you have to tackle another set of tasks.
Additionally, if you have kids aged two to five, make sure to limit their screen time to an hour a day to prevent eyestrain. Also, controlling their tech use will help you encourage them to play outside more and interact with their peers.
3. Design An Ergonomic Workspace
Similar to managing your screen time, it’s also essential to create a functional office to maintain excellent vision. Apart from helping you look after your eyes, having an ergonomic desk can boost your work performance and help you stay on top of your deliverables.
Practice good ergonomics whether you’re working from home or in a traditional office. For instance, your computer monitor should be positioned slightly below eye level and approximately an arm’s length away, or 25 inches from you. Placing your computer screen farther away prevents eye discomfort.
Moreover, make sure that your work corner has sufficient lighting. To reduce glare, position your monitor away from windows and direct sunlight. Use screen filters and adjust the lighting in the area to prevent putting stress on your eyes. All these might seem like simple actions; however, making these reasonable adjustments can significantly improve your eye health.
4. Protect Your Eyes From The Sun
Apart from being a culprit of premature skin aging, the sun can also damage your eye health, causing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and corneal burns. Considering this, always make sure to wear sunglasses before heading out on bright days. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor about transition lenses or UV-protected contact lenses.
These protective items can help block a good amount of ultraviolet (UV) rays. You can also use a wide-brimmed hat or umbrella to reduce your exposure to the damaging rays of the sun.
5. Pack Your Plate With Wholesome Food
It can be tempting to indulge in instant meals and pastries frequently. When you get home from an exhausting day, prepping a meal might be the last thing on your mind. However, to keep your eyes healthy, you should incorporate wholesome food into your diet.
To cultivate better eating habits, switch to healthy options whenever you cook your meals. Make an effort to fill your plate with foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E. Such foods include (but aren’t limited to) tuna, herring, sardines, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, plant-based oils, and vegetables.
These nutrients can help combat and reduce your risk of developing age-related cataracts and macular degeneration. Fortunately, you can find most of these ingredients in the nearest farmers market or grocery stores.
Aside from helping you maintain good eyesight, eating a balanced diet can contribute to a healthy weight and ward off various health complications. Indeed, making better dietary choices can give you many benefits.
Takeaway
As you can see, maintaining good eyesight doesn’t require much energy and effort. However, people often take this for granted and put this responsibility on the back burner. It’s never too late to prioritize and learn about your eye health. Follow the care tips above to preserve great vision.
