While it might not often be something you think about or focus on, if you’re starting to notice that your vision isn’t as clear as it once was, or that your eyes look a little more tired or regularly bloodshot than usual, it might be time to focus on them. Here, we’re going to look at the aspects of eye health that are often so easily forgotten, and what you can do to make sure you’re giving them the care they require.
Mind That Digital Eye Strain
We tend to spend a lot of time facing screens, both when we’re working and looking for a little leisure, but digital eye strain can cause a lot of discomfort and tiredness in the eyes. As such, it’s worth implementing rules like the 20-20-20 method, which means spending 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away from you every 20 minutes of screentime. When you are using screens, try to make their lighting match the environment, whether it’s with colour-dimming apps or using lamps and other lighting to surround them.
Keep Your Prescriptions Up To Date
Wearing glasses and contacts isn’t enough. You need to make sure that you’re using the right prescription over time. As your eyes change, using outdated prescriptions forces your eyes to work harder, leading to blurry vision, headaches, and fatigue. Ensure you’re keeping up with regular eye exams to stay up to date with your vision needs, replacing your glasses, and finding the right contact lenses online to avoid giving your eyes any more work than necessary. It’s important to keep in mind that the right contact lenses aren’t just those that offer visual clarity, but match your eye shape and allow for good oxygen flow and moisture, too.
Know How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Eyes
You might not think about your eyes when making everyday lifestyle choices, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an impact. For instance, smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your eyes, being a serious risk factor in both age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. You should also be sure to avoid exposing your eyes to UV light, using sunglasses when possible. On the other hand, adding omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc to your diet can help improve eye function.
Be Mindful Of Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can get irritated and tired a lot more frequently, and they’re especially common in the winter, when indoor heating and low humidity can make the air much drier. Hydration is key to protecting your eyes. Aside from drinking plenty of water, you should use lubricating eye drops to keep them well protected throughout the day. Using a humidifier at home or in the office can also make a big difference, and you should avoid any direct airflow from heaters or vents aimed at your face.
As much as you rely on your eyes, it’s important to make sure that you’re not taking them for granted, especially as you get older, when deterioration becomes more of a risk.
