1. Protect your eyes.
Covering your eyes against damaging particles and rays is more important than you might think. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that up to 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented by wearing appropriate eyewear. When outdoors, use sunglasses with UV-reducing lenses. When working with tools, chemicals, or particles such as wood, metal, and glass, wear appropriate protective eyewear so that debris does not come into contact with your eye and cause damage.
2. Keep a healthy diet.
Your body and eyes need certain nutrients to remain healthy. By drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods such as eggs, leafy greens, fish, nuts, fruits and berries, and whole grains, you are feeding yourself vitamins and other nutrients that your eyes need to maintain maximum efficacy.
3. See your eye doctor regularly.
Schedule checkups so that your vision and eye health can be evaluated by a professional. Your eyesight changes, so even if you had perfect vision a few years ago, it may not be the same now. If you have had previous problems with your eyesight or eye health, this is even more crucial for you. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist is trained to recognize and correct warning signs for more serious diseases, such as cataracts, that can develop as you age.
4. Maintain your overall health.
Exercising brings blood to your eyes, and helps you remain healthier overall. Avoid smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke, as it can lead to lead to serious and debilitating eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and uveitis. Remember: if you’re smelling it, you’re smoking it.
5. Get an adequate amount of rest.
When you sleep, your eyes are able to cleanse themselves and rest after the strain of the day. Be sure you’re getting a reasonable amount – preferably eight hours at the minimum. During the day, avoid looking at screens for long periods of time. Every twenty minutes at a screen, look at an object about twenty feet away for twenty seconds, to give your eyes a break. Try to take breaks at least every two hours and move around, even if it’s just a short walk down the hall.
