Eyesight is so important to our everyday lives. You only get one pair of eyes, so they’re one of the most important body parts to take care of. However, most people simply don’t know the best ways to look after their eyes or may not even think about it. So, here are some tips for looking after your eyesight throughout your life.
- Get Regular Eye Tests
Most optometrists recommend you make an appointment for a check-up and eye test at regular intervals. If you have a history or family history of certain conditions, they may ask you to come in more often — for example, if you are diabetic or are at risk for glaucoma. An eye test will ensure you are wearing the right prescription glasses or contacts, or tell you if you need them, as well as checking for any underlying conditions that could threaten your vision in future.
An advanced eye care test will ensure you are wearing the right prescription glasses or contacts, or tell you if you need them, as well as checking for any underlying conditions that could threaten your vision in future.
- Stay in Good General Health
Taking care of your health in general will also help your eyesight and can ensure you avoid conditions that can threaten your sight like diabetes and heart disease. Eat fruit and vegetables to start; if you smoke, then stop, and try to keep a healthy weight to give you the best chance of avoiding these diseases.
- Wear Your Glasses When Recommended
If you need prescription glasses or contact lenses, it’s important that you wear them when recommended, even if you don’t think your eyes are that bad. If you don’t wear glasses when you need them, you run the risk of straining your eyes which means you can end up with headaches and discomfort. Look after your eyes by ensuring you get regular eye tests and have your prescription tweaked as needed.
- Consider Vision Therapy to Improve Your Eyesight
If you damage your back or break a limb, you go into rehab to improve function. Vision therapy is like physio for your eyes, with a number of exercises that can improve specific parts of your eyesight. The Optometric Physicians of Middle Tennessee (OPMT) have put together a guide to vision therapy, so you can find out whether it’s right for your specific condition.
- Reduce Screen Time
Many adults worry about the amount of screen time their children have, but then sit for hours scrolling through pages on the Internet. Excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, dry eyes and other optical problems, so it’s worth considering where you can cut back. If you use a computer for work, take short breaks every couple of hours. This will also help you become more productive, as it gives your brain a break too. At home, use a timer on your phone or tablet so you know how much time you’re wasting and can cut back.
- Wear Sunglasses
Time outside can be good for your eyesight. However, you should make sure your eyes are protected. The delicate skin around your eyes can be susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays, and since you can’t use sunscreen too close to your eyes, you should ensure you have sunglasses to cover this area. If you wear glasses, your optician can provide a pair of prescription sunglasses so you can still see while out and about.