While poor eyesight can be hereditary, you can strengthen your eyesight and prevent vision loss with a few simple precautions and lifestyle habits—many of which take only a few seconds to do!
Wear sunglasses
Before you go out the door, reach for sunglasses. These can block out ultra violet or UV rays. This is especially important if you’re going to be in direct sunlight for very long. Another bonus: the sunglasses can also shield the delicate skin around your eyes, preventing crow’s feet and other signs of aging.
Eat a salad
We know that carrots are good for the eyes (‘have you ever seen a rabbit that wears glasses?’ as the joke goes) but other vegetables, such as leafy greens, are important too. That’s because a lack of vitamins and minerals can contribute to retinal damage. In general, you need vitamin C and E, zinc, luthein, and omega-3 fatty acids. You may also want to get a multi-vitamin, as many nutrients are lost during cooking.
Go for an eye check up
Even if you’ve never needed glasses, you should go to an ophthalmologist to get a baseline eye exam by the time you reach 40. This can help you spot vision problems early on, especially if you have pre-existing conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure) that are linked to vision loss. Also tell your doctor about your family medical history, like if you had relatives who had cataracts or other vision problems. This can guide your doctor in deciding how many times you should have follow-up exams, to monitor your condition.
Take precautions
If you like playing sports or DIY home projects, invest in protective eyewear. This can help prevent injuries and eye irritation.
Photo from eyeglassescontacts.com