Top Five Healthiest Things You Can Do for Your Eyes
By Chris Brown
Most of us would rate sight amongst the most important senses. However, we don't always take proper care of the organs which allow this amazing ability. Below are the top five things you should be doing to keep your peepers in optimal health.
Eat Eye-Healthy Foods
Carrots are famous eye-health foods due to their high concentrations of beta-carotene. However, foods such as dark, leafy greens and those high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) also help your eyes stay in top shape. Similarly, maintaining overall health by limiting sugar intake reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a blood sugar-related eye damage called diabetic retinopathy.
Don't Smoke
Smoking can affect the blood vessels around the eyes and harm the optic nerve. It additionally increases risk for cataracts and macular degeneration with age. Your eyes are one of the many reasons to look at quitting the dangerous habit of smoking.
Wear Sunglasses
The sun can be incredibly damaging to eyes over time. Sunglasses block the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Wearing UV protective lenses is particularly important when looking out over the ocean or snow as those surfaces magnify the radiation that hits your retinas. Sunglasses can prevent immediate vision problems in those conditions, such as temporary snow blindness or photokeratitis (also known as an eye sunburn).
Give Your Eyes a Rest
While looking at a screen too long is certainly bad for eye health, staring too long at any distance can lead to eye strain. To avoid eye strain, give your eyes a rest; look away from screens or change viewpoints for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Failing to do so can worsen vision over time and cause headaches and back pain.
Get Regular Eye Checkups
Going to an optometrist isn't just about evaluating your vision for glasses. Eye doctors are trained to see the early signs of eye disease that can lead to impaired vision or blindness if not treated. Glaucoma, for instance, is a commonly diagnosed condition which can be slowed to maintain vision longer, if caught early.
As eyes facilitate one of the five key senses for exploring the world, keeping them in top shape is incredibly important for overall mental and physical well-being. Following these five tips is the first start to maintaining good eye health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Harlingen, Tex.