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​​​​​​​5 Simple Habits for Maintaining Healthy Vision

Nov 28, 2023

Keeping your vision clear can help you perform well through your senior years. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests following simple habits to achieve this goal. Caring for your vision does not require much. It simply calls for mindfulness and a level of discipline.

Here are five habits to help keep your vision healthy.

1. Choose Vision-Friendly Foods

Eating the right types of foods can facilitate better vision. Many foods contain nutrients that are good for eye health.

For example, diets that contain zeaxanthin and lutein can prevent cataracts. Such food includes spinach, collard greens, and kale. Research reveals that eating grapes may lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. These foods are rich in antioxidants and can protect your eyes against oxidative stress.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, salmon, sardines, halibut, and mackerel, are also good for your eyes. These foods can enhance your eye’s surface inflammation. They can also help treat eye irritations linked to moderate or severe dry eye syndrome. They may also help eye cells survive future injuries or diseases.

2. Rest As Much As Possible

You are likely to experience eye fatigue if you work on your computer all day. You should rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can reduce your eyestrain.

Spending time outside can keep you from developing nearsightedness. One of the key advantages the outdoors offers for eyesight is that it lends opportunities to focus on further distances.

3. See Your Eye Doctor For Regular Eye Checks

Visits to your eye doctor can help detect vision problems early. This can facilitate early eye treatments. Even if you seem to have perfect vision, you cannot be sure unless an eye doctor checks your eyes.

You can wear corrective lenses or glasses to manage your vision issues immediately. A comprehensive dilated eye exam can determine if you have problems in your retina or macula. It can also detect for damage to your optic nerve from a high IOP or intraocular pressure.

4. Wear UV-Protective Sunglasses Outside

Sunglasses with UV protection can shield your eyes from damaging UV rays. They can keep you from developing AMD or cataracts. These protective glasses can help you see clearly in high-glare situations, such as surfing, skiing, or hiking.

5. Maintain A Healthy Weight

Obese or overweight individuals have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes. Such health issues can contribute to vision loss. Maintaining a healthy weight may prevent eye problems later on. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your weight. Studies show that you may reverse significant eye damage from obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure by losing enough weight.

Maintaining healthy vision will help you function well even after a certain age. At Big City Optical, we aim to provide only high-quality services for you to achieve your eye health goals.

For more on 2023’s must-have eyeglass styles, visit Big City Optical at one of our 16 stores in Chicago, Wilmette, Evanston, Bannockburn, or Glenview, Illinois. Call or click here to book an appointment today.