What Are Some Easy Ways to Improve Eye Health?
We all love our eyes. Among other things, the eyes are beautiful, resilient, and complex; fortunately, taking care of them is easier than you might think.
Here at Eyeconic, we compiled a list of things you can add to your eye care regime to improve your eye health.
Below, we’ve broken down eye health into four categories: protection, fitness, nutrition, and prevention.
PROTECTION
Sport Some Safety Eyewear: Over 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by using protective eyewear. A wide range of safety glasses, both prescription and non-prescription options, are available to protect the eyes from blunt impact, dust, small particles, and toxic splashes. It only takes a moment to put them on!
Wear Sunglasses: Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays, including in cloudy situations, increases the risk of cataracts, cancers, and growths.
Learn about protecting the eye cells from dangerous UV light with polarized lens technology . Better yet, shop our SunSync lenses that automatically darken, so you’re never without protection from the sun. Shop Sunglasses
Try Blue Light Glasses: Computer screens, mobile phones, and televisions emit a high-energy visible (HEV) blue light that can contribute to digital eyestrain after prolonged use. Get yourself some glasses with blue light lenses and reduce your exposure to blue light.
FITNESS
Practice the “20-20-20 Rule”: Your eyes need breaks from computer screens or mobile devices. One of the best ways to prevent strain from intense use is to use the 20-20-20 rule.
Here’s how to do it: Every 20 minutes, pause and look at a different object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Start an Exercise Routine: Regular exercise promotes healthy blood vessels and boosts the resilience of your eyes. To reap the benefits, do about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of exercise like walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing. Be sure to talk to your doctor for more suggestions.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Give those gorgeous eyes of yours the rest and recharge they need. To help prevent dry, blurry, or light-sensitive eyes, make sure you are at least sleeping 7-9 hours. Or try to squeeze in a short nap.
NUTRITION
Drink Water (Lots of Water): Eyes can become dehydrated, which can cause mild irritation. Try drinking more water. If that doesn’t help alleviate your issues, talk to your doctor who may suggest some great lubricating eye drops.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: Antioxidants and an anti-inflammatory diet may provide benefits in decreasing the risk of age-related eye disease. Read more about Eating for Healthy Vision here.
Get Enough Vitamins & Minerals: Talk to your doctor when adding nutrients to your diet for eye health. Here’s a list of vitamins and minerals that may promote healthy vision:
- Vitamin C: oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, strawberries, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and broccoli
- Vitamin E: almonds, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and avocadoes
- Zinc: legumes, seeds, meat/seafood, dairy, and eggs
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin: kale, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, raspberries, papaya, peaches, and mangoes
- Essential Oils: salmon, tuna, crab, and trout
PREVENTION
Schedule Regular Eye Doctor Visits: Find your doctor and book your annual eye exam and use your benefits before they expire. Your eye exam will evaluate your vision. Your doctor can also check for eye diseases and provide clues to your overall health. Finding something concerning at an early stage can increase the chances for better treatment. Find an eye doctor
Use Your Benefits: Knowing how to maximize your vision benefits and use your FSA/HSA can give you the best value for your needs. Be sure to talk with your vision provider if you have any questions. Shop at Eyeconic, where you can connect your VSP, MetLife, or Cigna vision insurance benefits.
Connect my benefitsIf you would like more details on improving eye health, view our Complete Guide to Healthy Eyes.
Or, for eye health advice by age groups, check these out:
Adult Vision Concerns
Teen Vision Concerns
Kid’s Vision Concerns: What Parents Need to Know
Sources
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology - https://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statist
[2] American Academy of Ophthalmology - https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
[3] American Academy of Ophthalmology - https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/exercise-may-slow-prevent-eye-disease-study-finds
[4] How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need
[5] Nutrients for the aging eye https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693724/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693724/