Eyes are an essential part of your overall body health, but can be easily overlooked. The older you get, the bigger the risk grows for eye disease. Approximately half of people by the time they reach age 80 develop cataracts. Make sure to follow these tips to ensure good eye health.

 

Get Comprehensive Eye Exams Regularly

While many people assume their eyes are functioning well, it’s important to get your eyes checked. If you’re over the age of 60, many health professionals will recommend yearly examinations. There are lots of reasons to get your eyes checked. Perhaps you don’t realize it, but your eyesight can be improved with glasses. Or perhaps you can have more serious issues detected. Eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration can appear without any warning. These diseases can cause obscured vision, and even lead to blindness. The only way to catch these early is by getting your eyes checked.

 

Check Your Family History

Those who have family with eye conditions are at an increased risk for being diagnosed with eye conditions of their own. Ask your family about their eye health, and also encourage them to get their eyes checked if they don’t already.

 

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

What you eat can affect your sight. Eat foods rich in vitamin A, including fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens and carrots. Some research show benefit in eating omega-3 fat, found in fish. Also, if you are a smoker, this is another reason to quit. Smoking is bad for your whole body, and the eyes are no exception. Smoking is linked to eye diseases including cataracts and optic nerve damage.

 

Wear Eye Protection

Wear protective eyewear when in bright sunlight, playing contact sports, or doing potentially hazardous activities. You can get your gear at an eye care provider or sports goods store. When you buy your sunglasses, make sure they block out 99 % of UV-A and UV-B radiation.

 

Rest Your Eyes

With many of us spending too much time on the computer screen, it’s important to give them a break. Try giving yourself 20-30 minute breaks, and going for a brief stroll in the house afterward, looking out the window, or inside the house at objects 20 feet away or more. This will help reduce strain on your eyes.

 

Have Good Contact Lens Hygiene

If you wear contact lenses, make sure to handle them properly using clean solution and remember to wash your hands before you put them in. Be sure to take your contacts out when swimming or sleeping.

 

With a healthy eye care regimen, you can at least know that you are doing all that you can to maintain clear eyesight for as long as possible.