We all want to properly take care of our eyes as we age. Sight is our most important sense, and yet we tend to take our eyes for granted until something is wrong with them. Then we panic. But it doesn’t have to be like that. A little prevention can go a long way towards ensuring that you have healthy eyesight for years to come! Knowledge is power in this case because you want to avoid activities that could damage your eyes. But many people simply don’t know that some of the things they do regularly can end up damaging their eyesight.
Take a look and see if there’s anything on this list that surprises you.
Leaving The House Without Protection
If you’re just popping out to run some errands, you may think you’re fine without eye protection. And unless you’re staring at the sun, you’ll be fine when you get home. But over the years, continually leaving your eyes unprotected from UV light can damage your vision and lead to maladies like cataracts and macular degeneration. Even if you’re just going for a walk around the block, protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses. And a hat certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Eating Poorly
What you put into your body can have a significant effect on how it performs. An unhealthy diet won’t provide your body with the nutrients it needs to keep your eyes healthy through old age. It is recommended eating a diet rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamins C and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Rubbing Your Eyes
This is tough for people with allergies, but rubbing your eyes when they’re itchy can cause damage, especially if it’s frequent. Instead, try running a towel under cold water and laying it over your eyes for a few minutes.
Common Household Cleaning
Most people realize that they need safety goggles when they’re working with power tools or using a weed whacker. Hopefully you fall in that category. But many people consistently perform other chores and tasks without taking any precautions for their eyes. There are thousands of cases of people getting cleaning products in their eyes each year.
Staring At Screens
It’s important to distinguish that this last item on our list won’t actually damage your eyes. However, you’ve likely already experienced some of the unpleasant side effects that can come with extended screen time. One solution is to simply take more frequent breaks from your screens. Remember that you don’t blink as much while staring at a screen—that’s part of what leads to dry and strained eyes. So it’s also smart to consciously try to remember to blink more often.
