Eyesight is arguably one of the most important of your five senses, and eye health goes hand-in-hand with your overall general health. Every August, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month aims to raise awareness about protecting children’s vision and eye health. Taking care of your eye health early can help protect your eyes for years. Here are some tips to help you and your family care for your eyes and improve your overall health.
- Well-Balanced Diet: Load up on different fruits and veggies – especially greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut have also been shown to help your eyes.
- Get Moving: Being physically active helps you stay healthy. It lowers your risk of health conditions that can cause eye health or vision problems – diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- Keep The Germs Away: Wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes, especially if you put in or remove contacts. Also, be sure to disinfect your contact lenses and replace them regularly.
- Gear Up: Safety glasses and goggles are designed to protect your eyes during certain activities. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits, such as using protective eyewear.
- Wear Your Sunglasses: Choose and wear sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. And remember, never look directly at the sun.
- Give Your Eyes A Break: Do you spend much time looking at your computer, phone, or TV screen? Staring at one thing for too long can tire your eyes. Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Talk to Your Doctor: Is your vision blurry? Do you squint a lot? If you notice any changes in your vision or if they bother you, talking with a doctor can catch issues before they become problematic.
Source:
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/keep-your-eyes-healthy
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/nei-for-kids/healthy-vision-tips
