5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Eyes

Scheduling regular eye exams, shielding your eyes from UV rays and having a good diet are just a few of the ways to keep your eyes healthy. Protect your vision with these 5 tips from the doctors at VAL-Uvision! For more information on eye care and protection, check out our services and products here.

1) Clean Contact Lenses

Though the recommended schedule for cleaning and replacing contact lenses can vary by type, it’s critical to never miss any of these steps. The long-term health of your vision depends on contact lenses being completely sanitary, as it’s the only way to keep them from introducing harmful bacteria to your eyes. Many people who neglect to take care of their contact lenses experience conditions such as corneal swelling and scratching, dry eyes, infections and more.

2) Reduce Screen Time

The average person now spends about 10-11 hours every day looking at a digital screen. Having your eyes on a screen for this long causes them to strain, leading to discomfort, blurred vision and headaches. Too much screen time is not only a concern for adults and office workers, but also for children, as the number of hours young people spend looking at screens is constantly on the rise. Studies have shown that over half of people who regularly spend a lot of time in front of digital screens experience some negative effects on their eyes as a result.

3) Wear Quality Sunglasses

To best preserve the condition of your eyes, find sunglasses offering complete protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. Wearing sunglasses on sunny days helps prevent the onset of serious eye complications such as macular degeneration, which is a common cause of blindness brought about when retinas are damaged by UV exposure. Sunglasses also keep cataracts at bay, as they’re typically caused by UV radiation.

4) Eat Better

Many people are unaware of the connection between their diet and the health of their eyes. Eating a high amount of starches and sugars has been shown to increase the chances of developing macular degeneration, while consuming more fruits and vegetables is a proven way to keep your eyes healthy and fight the onset of such conditions. Vitamins E and C, zinc and lutein have also been shown to aid in the preservation of vision as you age.

5) Stop Rubbing

Most people touch the areas around their eyes several hundred times a day. Even something as seemingly innocent as rubbing your eyelids when you’re tired can get harmful bacteria into your eyes, leading to infections, damage to the surface of your eyes and the possibility of contracting a virus. If you do need to touch your eyes for some reason, such as when you’re putting in or removing contact lenses, wash your hands with water and antibacterial soap before you do.

These are just some of the many great ways to take better care of your eyes. By reducing screen time, avoiding excessive eye rubbing, keeping contact lenses sanitary, eating plenty of vegetables and wearing sunglasses while outdoors, you’ll give your eyes the support they need to stay healthy for years to come.

Schedule an Appointment with VAL-Uvision Today!

To learn more or to request appointment, please call one of our 2 Jacksonville optometry offices nearest you today to schedule an eye exam!