If you have perfect vision, you probably don’t worry too much about eye health. The reality, however, is that vision impairment can happen to anyone at any age. In fact, approximately 12 million people over the age of 40 in America have some level of vision impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fortunately, taking some preventative measures to keep your eyes protected and rested can help you steer clear of vision problems. Below, you’ll find 4 tips for protecting your precious eyes.
Eat for your eyes
We all know carrots can support eye health, but there’s also a bunch of other fruits and vegetables that are beneficial. Mainly, you want produce, that has antioxidants like lutein and vitamins A, C, and E, which can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Look for dark-colored fruits and vegetables such as peppers, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Other good sources of these nutrients include nuts and seeds.
Give your eyes a break
Hours and hours of staring at screens have become the everyday reality for many of us—and you’ve probably already noticed how straining it can be on your eyes. To help reduce this strain, experts recommend following the 20-20-20 rule-i.e., looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Taking these little breaks can help to avoid eye strain. Of course, it’s not a bad idea to keep your eyes away from a screen for an entire day every once and a while.
Wear eye protection
It’s always a good idea to wear eye protection in situations that might put your eyes at risk, whether you’re playing sports or doing construction work. Some 2,000 people suffer a work-related eye injury in the US each day, so it can happen to anyone. With simple eye protection, you can easily avoid permanent injury to your eyes.
Don’t forget your sunglasses
Other than looking “cool,” sunglasses shield your eyes from the ultraviolet rays that can seriously damage your eyesight over time. Just make sure the sunglasses have lenses that offer UV protection.
