Eat Healthy

Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. By eating a well-balanced diet, it lowers your odds of obesity which is related to diseases like type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in adults.
More to come in an upcoming blog about your eyes and diet.
 

Quit Smoking

Smoking increases your chances of getting cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration, not to mention the many other medical problems that come with long-term smoking. If you've tried to kick the habit before only to start again, don’t give up! The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask your doctor for help.
 

Wear Sunglasses

The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure increases your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Be sure to choose a pair that blocks at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. 
 

Use Safety Eyeglasses

If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, always wear safety glasses or protective goggles.

Wear eye protection when playing sports such as ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse as these sports can lead to eye injury.
 

Take Frequent Breaks from Your Computer

• Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long can cause issues such as blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches, just to name a few. Protect your eyes by:
• Wear up-to-date glasses when looking at screens to avoid squinting.
• Trying to avoid glare from windows and lights.
• Blinking more or using artificial tears if you find your eyes are exceptionally dry.
• Practicing the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds and get up at least every 2 hours for a 15-minute break.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Eye exams can find diseases that have no symptoms. It's important to catch them early when they're easier to treat.

Depending on your eye health needs, you can see one of two types of doctors. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor or an optometrist who has four years of specialized training after college. (More on these roles in a blog to come).
 

Exercise

Exercising improves blood circulation which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins.
 

Get sleep

As crazy as it sounds, sleep actually does support eye health. Sleep offers long periods of time that your eyes don't need to focus, which in turn, replenishes the supply of natural tears helping them to feel hydrated.