According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people live with some form of vision impairment. Keeping in mind the further fact that approximately 80% of all vision impairment can be avoided, it’s imperative that you do your best to protect your eyes and not have to deal with distance or near vision impairment. By improving your diet too regularly by seeing your optometrist, there are a few simple ways in which you can protect your eyesight.
Improve your diet
Do you know how your parents always told you that you should eat more carrots if you want to skip wearing glasses early on? Well, they were right. Carrots, oranges, and other orangey veggies and fruit are great at preserving eyesight due to the amount of beta-carotene they contain, which helps the retina function smoothly. However, lutein and zeaxanthin lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts, which is why you should also eat plenty of leafy greens and eggs. Namely, egg yolks are the main source of lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc which contributes to preventing macular degeneration. A handful of almonds a day will also help you lower the risk of the same disease. Dry eye syndrome is another problem you can avoid if you start eating trout, anchovies, mackerel, salmon, and tuna regularly because they’re all rich in DHA i.e. a fatty acid found in the retina.
Look for warning signs
One of the things you should pay special attention to are the first warning signs that may indicate your eyesight isn’t as good as before. Do the letters on your phone or in the book you’re reading suddenly double while you’re reading? Is your vision hazy all of a sudden and you can’t recognize faces until they’re 4 feet away from you? You may also have difficulty seeing in low light conditions, which is another reason to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Red eyes, frequent flashes of light, floaters, and eye pain followed by swelling are some of the more serious eye problems that will require immediate attention from your doctor.
See your doctor regularly
Prevention is half the health. That is why you should pay your doctor a visit even if you haven’t been noticing any warning signs that may indicate something is wrong with your vision or your overall health. Going to a regular physical examination can help you detect diabetes, or high blood pressure, which are the two most common causes of vision impairment. High blood pressure and diabetes can even cause eye strokes, macular degeneration, and vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, make sure you check your eyes at least twice a year. That way, your optometrist will be able to monitor your condition and prescribe your contact lenses on time until your vision isn’t completely impaired. They will prescribe you the best contact lenses for your condition and you won’t have to worry about changing your appearance just because you can’t see that well anymore. Eyeglasses aren’t everyone’s first choice which is why contact lenses can be a great alternative that will make your everyday life easy and stress-free.
Check your family history
Genetics plays an important role in your eyesight condition, which is why you should know if you’re at high risk of suffering from any type of visual impairment. If any of your parents have started wearing glasses or contacts early on, chances are you will too. If they suffer from high blood pressure, or if you’re older than 65, you’re at a much higher risk for sight-threatening eye disease. To prevent any serious problems, start eating plenty of healthy foods which are good for the eyes.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Another thing to keep in mind when wanting to protect your eyes from any form of impairment is to wear sunglasses whenever it’s sunny outside. The harmful UV rays can have negative effects on your retina. Pinguecula, cataracts, and various other problems may arise unless you shield your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Don’t forget to wear protective eyewear even during winter. This is especially important if you’re spending time in a place covered with snow because the sun reflecting off the snow can cause temporary blindness and have harmful effects on your eyes in the long run.
Protecting your eyes is imperative if you want to avoid wearing glasses. Make sure you eat well and pick foods especially beneficial for your eyes. Check your health regularly and always wear protective eyewear to make sure your eyes don’t get affected by UV rays.
