Article by Joanna Gomez

Each of us is born with only five senses, which makes each of them pretty special from the get go, but vision may be the most essential of all. Imagine spending even a single day without the gift of sight and you’ll realize how important it is. Unfortunately, however, most people tend to take vision for granted, failing to protect it properly.

Like any other bodily system, the eyes are prone to damage by way of disease or physical trauma. By taking a few simple preventative measures, you can lower the chances of suffering compensated sight or even losing your vision entirely. Take a few moments to learn how you can keep your eyes safe and healthy for a lifetime of great views.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Perhaps the most important thing anyone can do to be sure her eyes are in great condition is to get regular eye exams from a licensed professional. Most eye care professionals recommend yearly checkups, advocating for a visit every two years at the bare minimum and only if you haven’t experienced any noticeable problems.

A well trained ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to spot most ocular trouble or irregularities before much damage has occurred. Additionally, your eye doctor can prescribe corrective lenses to sharpen blurry vision or correct astigmatism.

In addition to your usual checkups, it’s important not to hesitate from seeing your doctor if you ever experience eye problems, however minor. Even small changes in eye sight or comfort can indicate underlying issues or the beginning of a larger problem. In the event of foreign materials or chemicals entering the eye, treat the situation as an emergency and get to a hospital immediately.

Eat a Vitamin Rich Diet

Since eyes are just another bodily system, they benefit greatly from a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. You may be familiar with the old adage prescribing carrots for excellent eye health. This is due to the high concentration of beta carotene in that food, which converts to vitamin A in the body. If you experience a deficiency of vitamin A, your vision will indeed become blurry, eventually resulting in a disease called xerophthalmia, which inhibits tear production, eventually drying out the cornea.

Of course, while carrots are a great start, the eyes need other essential substances to maintain good health as well. Vision depends on a steady supply of vitamins C and E, folic acid, selenium and zinc to maintain proper functioning. Studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins can also play an important role in staving off macular degeneration and cataract formation.

Stop Smoking

The smoking issue may be a familiar one, especially to smokers, but studies have shown that smoking has a detrimental effect on eye health and vision. If you need yet another reason to quit, add good eye health to the list.

Wear Sunglasses

Most people are familiar with the damaging effects that the sun’s UV rays can have on skin. This is evidenced by a booming sunscreen market. However, what many people don’t realize is that the sun’s rays do just as much damage to your delicate eyes. What’s more, UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, meaning protection is necessary even on cloudy days or in the winter months. You can keep your eyes safe by donning a protective pair of sunglasses. Be sure to find a pair that blocks 98% or more of all UV rays.

Prevent Eye Strain

One of the most increasingly common forms of eye trouble today comes in the form of simple eye strain, which can result from, among other things, staring at a TV or computer screen for long periods. Eye strain can result from focusing on a small object or space without looking away and is exacerbated by the tendency not to blink-something that computer screens promote marvelously-therefore reducing lubrication of the cornea.

Eye strain can be prevented simply by turning on a light when using the computer. In other words, reduce contrast between your workspace and the background to lessen the burden on your eyes. Another simple step you can take is to take a break every 15 to 20 minutes to focus on an area that’s much farther away, such as out a window, to give your sore muscles a rest.

Although eye strain has not been found to cause permanent eye damage, it can quickly build into a massive headache or migraine if left unchecked. Other symptoms include pain behind the eyes as well as blurred vision or red eyes.

Protecting your eyesight is a serious matter and is just as essential to good health as eating a well balanced diet or wearing sunscreen. With the help of an eye care professional and these simple tips, you can rest assured that you’ll enjoy all the perks of excellent vision for a lifetime.

About the Author

Joanna Gomez is a freelance writer who writes about health, eye care and specific products and where to purchase them such as contact lenses online.

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