It is normal for your eyesight to deteriorate as you age with problems such as dry eyes, floaters, cataracts and glaucoma some of the most common complaints. Are there ways in which you can prevent it from happening to an extent? Continue reading for top tips which might help you.
Eyecare in the sun
When it is sunny outdoors, wearing sunglasses is vital to protect your eyes. Grabbing a pair from your local store may be convenient. However, it is rare that they offer sufficient protection. Find ones which block one hundred percent of UV rays. The color or darkness of the lenses should not be used as a guide for this and can be misleading. For those of you who wear glasses, ensure you get prescription sunglasses from your opticians. Many stores offer discounts or even a free pair of sunglasses when buying your regular ones at the same time. For those who only wear glasses for driving, we recommend leaving your prescription sunglasses in the car. A large sunhat with a wide brim can be useful for blocking out the harmful sun’s rays too.
Stop smoking
There is a number of reasons as to why you should stop smoking. The particles in tobacco can have a detrimental impact on your eyes by irritating them. The nicotine and carbon monoxide can cause fatty deposits in blood vessels, thus affecting the blood flow to the eyes. Metals found in cigarette smoke can lead to cataracts. Generally, you will feel fitter and healthier, but it may take a while. Be sure to seek support from others when giving up smoking. Sometimes, you may need more than willpower such as nicotine patches or hypnotherapy, for example.
Eat well and stay active
Eating a nutritious diet filled with foods that support eye health can help to preserve your eyesight. Reducing the number of processed foods you incorporate into your lifestyle can also help. Cooking meals from scratch allows you to see exactly what you will be putting into your body and avoids unnecessary additives. Problems with your sight can be linked to several conditions which can happen as a result of being overweight. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes, for example, can all have a detrimental effect on your eyes. A lack of vitamins and minerals has also been linked to potential issues eye issues. Keeping active by exercising on a regular basis also helps to lower the risk of weight-related health problems.
Wear your glasses
If your optician has advised that you wear glasses, it is essential to do so the majority of the time. Not doing this can lead to eye strain. If you find that, even while wearing your spectacles, you are struggling with blurred vision, for example, revisit your optician and have another eye test to check that your prescription has not changed. Other diagnoses can be made through a visit too. It is vital to attend on a regular basis.
Control your diabetes
For those of you who have diabetes, it is vital that you keep it under control. Blindness as a result of not staying on top of your condition is common. If you are struggling, be sure to seek advice from a medical professional. If you are forgetting to take your insulin, try setting an alarm on your phone or have a checklist somewhere in your home to remind you. Print a week off at a time and be sure to put the dates on as well as the days. As mentioned above, keeping on top of your diet and being active are also important.
Practice screen breaks
If your work (or social life for that matter) revolve around sitting in front of a computer, it is vital that you take regular breaks. Every twenty minutes sitting looking at your screen, you need to get up and walk around, being sure to look at other things around the office, for example. Practicing this will reduce the chances of suffering with eye strain, which can impact on your eyesight long term.
Lower your blood pressure
Lowering your blood pressure will really help to protect your eyesight. As mentioned above, diet and exercise are two important aspects of doing this. Be sure to reduce the amount of salt you have in your food as well. Additionally, alleviating the amount of stress and anxiety in your life can also help. Consider starting yoga or meditation which will allow you to focus on relaxing rather than letting your worries overwhelm you. Allowing yourself time for yourself will also help to lower your blood pressure.