Sight is one of the most important senses we have as it helps us with safety, navigation, and communication. By protecting our eyes as early as possible, we could reduce the odds of developing visual degeneration, bad vision, and even eye diseases. So what are the steps that we can take in maintaining a pair of healthy eyes?
1. BE Consistent with Eye Exams
Most of us put off eye exams because we think that we have “good vision”, but good vision doesn’t necessarily mean perfect eye health. Many eye diseases may not have any warning signs until much later. Discovering eye conditions in the early stages makes it easier to treat. Thus it is recommended for adults to have a comprehensive eye exam once every two to three years.[1]
2. BE Aware Of Your Family Health History
A family health history is a record of health information about your family. Knowing your family health history can help you in determining your susceptibility to eye diseases or conditions. As mentioned above, many eye diseases have no symptoms until the later stages, thus understanding your family health history could help in the identification or even prevention of potential visual problems.[2]
3. BE Aware of Your Screen Time
With the development of electronic gadgets, we have spent increasingly more time on screens in our work, education, socialization, and entertainment. As we spend ever more time on screens, our eyes will sustain more and more damage from blue light. Thus it is important to be aware of your screen time. You may follow the 20-20-20 rule, with every 20 minutes of screen time, look away at something that is 20 feet away for a total of 20 seconds.[3]
4. BE Healthy with Optimum Nutrition
According to the American Optometric Association vitamins, antioxidants and minerals can help you improve your vision and maintain eye health. Different researches have linked nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and anthocyanin to the overall maintenance of eye health. Thus, it is important to take foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants for better eye health.[4]
Eye health is often overlooked but it can mean a lot to our quality of life now and in the future. Thus it is essential that you take precautions now, in order to protect your vision.
Reference
- Primary Health Care: Open Access, 2012
- BMC Opthalmology, 2017
- Optometry Time, 2018
- Nutrients, 2019
