The human eye is a delicate, intricate and remarkably complex organ. But keeping your own eyes healthy and well-functioning doesn’t have to be complicated.
The truth is many eye conditions and diseases are preventable. While your eye doctor can help heal or correct problems that arise, you can play the greatest role in keeping your vision sharp long before an ophthalmologist gets involved.
Start with these 7 easy steps to keep your eyes healthy:
- Stay fit. Numerous research studies have shown that regular physical activity can protect your eyes from serious, potentially blinding eye diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. You don’t have to train for a marathon to reap the benefits, either. Just make a brisk walk or bike ride a part of your daily routine.
- Feed your eyes good nutrition. Getting a variety of fruits and vegetables also helps you fight eye diseases. The easiest way to ensure you’re getting the right ones is to fill your dinner plate with lots of vibrant colors: green, red, orange and purple. The same nutrients that give these superfoods their super hues also help keep eyes healthy and sharp.
- Block UV rays. Even cheap sunglasses can block the harmful ultraviolet rays that can increase the risk of eye diseases, including macular degeneration, cataracts and even cancer. For the best protection, look for glasses that clearly state they block both UVA and UVB radiation.
- Protect your eyes from injury. It’s as simple as donning a pair of protective eyewear in the workplace, the playing field or the court. Take the extra step of getting advice from your eye doctor, who can ensure you’re equipped with the best protection and can use it effectively.
- Stop smoking. There’s almost no physical ailment that isn’t worsened, hastened or even caused by cigarette smoking. This is also true of eye diseases. Smoking raises your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration and makes dry eye syndrome worse. Not only that, but it can deteriorate your overall health to further damage your vision.
- Give your eyes a break. We’re spending more time than ever staring at computer, tablet and phone screens and, consequently, less time blinking. So, be kind to your overworked eyes! Give them a break as often as feasible, perhaps with that walk we mentioned earlier. At the very least, practice a couple of habits that will help you keep eyes comfortable and lubricated:
- Every 20 minutes, take your eyes off the screen and focus on something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Sync your blinking to help prevent dry eyes. For example, train yourself to blink every time you type the letter “e” or see a comma.
- Avoid infection. Pay attention to situations that could introduce contaminants into your eyes – there are probably more of them each day than you think. Three top ways to prevent potentially blinding eye infections are:
- Wash hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, especially if you haven’t just washed them.
- Take fastidious care of contact lenses with regular, thorough cleansing and replacement.
Above all, schedule regular eye exams to stay on top of your changing needs and preserve your vision. And if you’re tired of the contacts and glasses and would like to find a Detroit LASIK surgeon, call Lake Lazer Eye Center to schedule your SoftTouch LASIK or ZEISS SMILE consultation with Dr. Khambati now – (586) 792-3891.
Lake Lazer Eye Center offers convenient and affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the ZEISS SMILE procedure, and Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of Detroit LASIK patients and more from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts. In the event that you’re not a candidate for vision correction, we’ll assist you with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.
