Jeepers Creepers: Protect Those Peepers

Nov 15, 2020 | Patients

by Amber White • 

ChiroHealthUSA Social Media Specialist

Poor vision can make it difficult to do even basic daily activities such as driving, cooking, and working. That is why it’s essential to take precautions to help you “focus” on keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some important tips.

Regular Eye Examinations

A regular eye exam is the best way to protect your eyesight and a fairly easy precaution to take. An ophthalmologist checks each eye for signs of serious issues such as cataracts, detached retinas, and glaucoma, among other conditions, during an exam. Getting your eyes checked regularly, regardless of what you currently view as your vision status, can help detect serious eye issues at the earliest stage, when they are most treatable, and provide correct treatments and prescriptions so that your vision doesn’t worsen.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Optimal eye health is partially dependent on the food you consume. A diet rich in leafy greens, containing antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C, and salmon, a fatty fish loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids, is important to the health of the macula, responsible for central vision. Too much alcohol and saturated fats limit the absorption of antioxidants causing free-radical reactions that can actually harm the macula. And high-fat diets can also cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. Because our eyes are unique and have their own set of nutritional needs, there are vitamins out there specially designed to provide the correct balance and combination of nutrients for our eye health.

Protect Your Eyes While Using Blue Light Devices

Most of us look at screens for hours on end at work and at home. Smartphones, computer monitors, tablets, e-readers, and televisions, expose our eyes to high-energy light-emitting wavelengths near the bluer part of the spectrum. Here are some tips to help when you’re on your devices:

  • Screens should be within 20”-24” of your eye.
  • Keep the tops of screens slightly below eye level.
  • Adjust lighting to minimize screen glare.
  • Blink frequently.
  • Take a break every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Use eye drops to soothe irritated, dry eyes. 
  • Consume more Lutein and Zeaxanthin, either through your diet or supplements. These nutrients help the macula filter blue light.

 

Here are a few more tips that help you preserve your eyesight. 

  • Wear Sunglasses. Make sure they have UVA and UVB protection. 
  • Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat. It can help shade your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. 
  • Quit Smoking. Smoking causes high levels of oxidative stress on your eyes.
  • Don’t Touch. Keep your hands away from your eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses. And wash your hands often to prevent germs and bacteria from entering your eyes causing infections such as conjunctivitis. 
  • Exercise More. Physical activity improves blood circulation raising oxygen levels in the eyes and removing toxins.

 

Source: 

https://www.bausch.com/vision-and-age/20s-and-30s-eyes/healthy-eyes

wwww.canopyhealth.com