We visit the optometrist once per year to ensure we can read thanks to glasses, but there’s more to eye care than that. In fact, how much do you really know about caring for your eyes? If it isn’t much, check out the tips below to learn all you can today.
You should wear sunglasses as often as possible. Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement, they’re a source of much-needed protection from the sun. Sunglasses block Ultra-Violet radiation, which can cause serious and long-term damage to the eye. Sunglasses can even prevent wrinkles and cancer from forming around the eye!
A wide-brimmed hat can be your best friend when outdoors, especially when the sun is shining. A hat offers a lot of protection for your face, including areas like your eyelids where sun can sneak in around the edges of glasses. Eyelids are a fairly common place for melanoma to develop, so cover up outdoors with a stylish hat whenever you can.
As if smokers didn’t need yet another health related reason to quit, this habit also threatens eyes. Since smoking deprives every cell in your body of oxygen, something eyes need every minute, smokers run the risk of damaging their vision with each puff of a cigarette. Protect your eyes by quitting smoking as soon as you can.
When selecting an eye care professional, do not skimp when it comes to doing your homework on each prospective doctor’s qualifications. Check their educational background, certifications and licensure to ensure that everything is as represented. Doing these things will help you feel confident when it comes to entrusting the health of your eyes to someone new.
People who wear contacts need to take particularly good care of their eyes. While contacts are very useful for vision, if the materials are not properly cleaned and maintained, it can be potentially damaging to eyes. Make sure your contacts are the right prescription and that you follow all instructions provided by your health care professional.
Don’t stare at the computer screen too long. You can end up with issues like eyestrain, blurriness, headaches, dry eyes, and decreased distance focus. Try taking breaks every 20 minutes or so by looking 20 feet away from the screen for about 20 seconds. This can help you rest and re-focus your eyes to reduce or prevent those eye issues.
If you suffer from dry eyes, this can be painful. You may want to try a high quality saline drop. In addition, little things, such as blinking, can increase tear production. Try to avoid using products that are filled with chemicals. Over time, these may actually worsen your dry eyes.
Choose a thick, dense eye creme to ensure the skin around your eyes stays taught and firm. Make sure the product you choose includes essential fatty acids as they are a necessity for your most delicate skin. If you are a teen, the time is now to start, but even adults can benefit from starting later.
It is important that you visit your optometrist every year to check your vision, but you should also be checking into the health of your eyes. Learning about eye care today will ensure your eyes serve you well tomorrow. Be sure to make use of every tip so you can see the great results.