Good eye health is crucial in maintaining your overall quality of life. Vision allows you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life like a beautiful natural scene or a loved one’s smile. However, appreciation alone is not enough to keep your vision in perfect condition. Aging and other health conditions can deteriorate your eyesight. Some eye problems include cataracts, diabetic eye disease, dry eyes, and age-related macular degeneration. Fortunately, adopting some healthy habits can protect and improve your eyesight. Read on to discover how to improve vision problems.
- Healthy Diet. Foods that protect your heart and blood vessels can also improve your vision. Look for a diet with minimal saturated fat and salts, moderate lean protein, and plenty of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Nutrients and vitamins are effective in preventing degeneration and potentially blinding conditions such as glaucoma. Foods rich in antioxidants like vitamin A, C, E, and the mineral zinc also prevent age-related macular degeneration progress. Omega-3 and fatty acids are essential for visual development and retinal development. You can find these nutrients and vitamins in common foods. For instance, you can find omega-3 in walnuts and cold-water fish. Shellfish and red meat are rich in zinc, while sweet potatoes, mangos, and carrots are vitamin A sources. If you wish to boost your vision, look for supplements, such as iFocus, which contain natural extracts.
- Regular Exercise. Exercise is vital for your overall health. Studies show that people who exercise regularly are less likely to develop glaucoma. Moreover, health conditions that stem from a lack of physical exercise can contribute to vision problems. For instance, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and blindness. People with obesity are more likely to have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes also increases your chances of developing cataracts and doubles your risk of having open-angle glaucoma. Simple exercises such as walks, bike riding, or light at-home workouts can make you more active and ultimately protect your eyes.
- Protective Eyewear. Always protect your eyes from harm. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun can lead to cataracts. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. However, look for sunglasses with 100% UV protection, scratch-resistant lenses, and free of defects like bubbles. Safety glasses can also protect your eyes from injuries that may occur while working around the house. Other protective eyewear includes face masks, shields, and helmets. Protective eyewear is essential where there is a risk of chemicals, metal shards, and wood shavings. Also, always remember to wear your helmet when playing outdoor games such as football and hockey.
- Quit Smoking. Besides being harmful to your lungs, heart, skin, teeth, and hair, smoking can also damage your eyes. Smoking increases the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Smoking can also make your eyes scratchy, red, and stinging. Smokers who also have diabetes are at higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Smoking during pregnancy can make your baby develop bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, your eyes and other body parts can recover from tobacco-induced harm if you quit smoking.
- Eye Drops. Artificial tears can relieve the gritty feeling of dry eyes. Dry eyes make things look blurry. Using eye drops will clear the blurriness and make you see well. However, beware of drops that get the red out of your eyes because they can make them worse when the drops wear off. Always use preservative-free eye drops as often as you need them, but use drops with preservatives no more than six times per day.
- Doctor Visits. Visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience sudden blurry vision or other changes in your eyesight. These experts will tell you whether you have symptoms of a more severe condition or you only need to take simple prevention measures to improve your vision. During your visits, always remember to ask your eye doctor about any changes or concerns you might be experiencing with your vision. However, adults in their 20s and 30s are recommended to go for eye checkups every five to ten years. People in their 40s to 54 years should see their eye doctor every two to four years, while those above 55 years should go for an eye checkup one to three years.
Improving your vision is something you can do by controlling your lifestyle habits. Going for eye checkups, maintaining a healthy diet, wearing protective gear, and regular exercise will ensure you prevent vision problems and give you peace of mind.
