Tips to Care for Your Eyes
By Sara Butler
Many people are concerned about the health of their hearts or the health of their brains, but how many are concerned about the health of their eyes? Sure, people like to see, but eye health doesn't seem to be a big topic when surfing the internet these days. Your eyes do a lot for you and just as with any other part of you, they deserve some tender love and care too. Here are a few tips to help you care for your eyes your whole life long.
Get an Exam
An annual eye exam does more than simply adjust your glasses prescription. The truth is that your eyes can show a lot about your health and can be one of the first places serious diseases can be detected such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even brain tumors.
Ophthalmologists and optometrists look at the blood vessels in the back of your eye on the retina to assess your overall health and wellness. These exams are also crucial to keep an eye on the development of glaucoma, cataracts, and issues such as macular degeneration that have a big impact on your vision.
Don't Abuse Your Contacts
If you wear contacts, regular eye exams are even more important. Wearing contact lenses as directed makes them safe but going outside of the recommended use and doing things such as sleeping in your contacts or wearing them for too long each day can start to impact the health of your eyes.
Plus, putting in contacts and taking them out means you're constantly touching your eyes, increasing your risk of infection. Make sure if you notice signs of an eye infection such as redness, itching, or drainage from the eye that you see your eye doctor immediately. And never rinse your contacts with tap water -- it can cause a parasitic infection that can be devastating to your sight.
Consider Eye Strain
How many hours per day do you spend in front of a computer? If it's a lot, you may want to consider special computer lenses that help to block out blue light and reduce eye strain. Your eye doctor can also give you tips to help reduce screen fatigue such as taking frequent breaks, reducing glare, and sitting the right distance from your screen.
Don't forget about your eyes when you consider your overall health and wellness!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Albuquerque, N.M.