7 Easy Ways to Protect Your Vision

To keep your vision strong and your eyes healthier, follow these simple tips every day.

Most of us don't think much about our eyes unless something starts to feel off, such as having blurry vision or experiencing dry, itchy or painful eyes. But just like you brush your teeth to avoid cavities, there are easy things you can do every day to keep your eyes in tip-top shape and your vision clear.

Here are a few smart habits that are good for your eyes:

1. Feed your eyes well. Some people eat with their eyes, meaning that food has to look as good as it tastes. But you can also eat for your eyes by choosing foods that pull their weight when it comes to eye health. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that may lower your risk of age-related eye diseases. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are a win thanks to the omega-3s that help fight off dry eyes. Carrots are good too, but they're not the only food that helps keep eyes healthier.
2. Don't forget your sunglasses. UV rays don't take a break just because it's overcast so wear sunglasses every day, even when it's cloudy outside. Sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays help your eyes stay protected. They don't have to be expensive but make sure they offer full coverage from UV rays.
3. Give your eyes a break. Too much screen time makes your eyes work overtime. That's when they start to feel tired, irritated and dry. To avoid eye strain when you're looking at screens all day, try the 20-20-20 technique: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It seems like that wouldn't make much of a difference, but it helps more than you'd think by giving your eyes a quick rest.
4. Don't skip eye exams. Even if you see fine, it doesn't mean everything's okay with your eyes. Some eye problems show up without any early signs and routine eye exams can catch things before they become serious. Once every year or two is usually enough unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
5. Wash your hands. Touching your eyes with dirty hands can spread germs fast and may lead to infections like pink eye. If you wear contacts, it's even more important to keep hands clean. Just make hand washing a habit, especially before rubbing your eyes or putting in lenses.
6. Protect your eyes from injury. Whether you're mowing the lawn, using tools or playing sports, wear something that shields your eyes properly. Safety glasses or goggles might not be stylish, but they're effective at protecting eyes from injury and should be worn all the time. One accident is all it takes to mess with your vision permanently.
7. Don't smoke. Here's another good reason to quit or to not start smoking. Your chances of getting cataracts and macular degeneration are higher if you smoke and both can mess with your sight in a big way. Of course, not smoking also offers a ton of other health benefits.

By taking steps every day to care for your eyes, you'll be more likely to avoid eye injuries and conditions that cause discomfort, such as dry, irritated eyes. You'll also give your eyes the best chance of staying healthy while keeping your vision strong.

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When you choose Guthrie Specialty Eye Care, you have access to the area’s largest team of eye care experts, including certified optometrists and ophthalmologists trained to treat cataracts, glaucoma, corneal conditions, retinal conditions, and more.

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