Love Your Eyes More By Following These 4 Eye Care Tips

Regularly scheduling comprehensive eye exams and keeping your prescription up to date is important for taking care of your eyes. The everyday choices you make can affect your vision, for better or worse.

Keep reading for four simple eye care tips you can follow to maintain healthy eyesight and love your eyes more.

1. Drink More Water

You have probably heard the standard advice to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. You might not be aware of how proper hydration benefits your eyes.

Your eyes need water to function. Every time you blink, it spreads a film of tears across the surface of your eye. This keeps you seeing comfortably, but it also protects the eye from irritants like dust and dirt.

When your body is dehydrated, you can experience blurry vision, eye fatigue, and/or a burning sensation in the eyes. Keep your eyes feeling great and working as they should by drinking plenty of water.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

What you eat is just as important to your eyes as it is to the rest of your body. Some studies have shown that nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and vitamins C and E can decrease your risk of developing age-related eye conditions.

Your diet should include lots of fruits and vegetables. Specifically, carrots, citrus fruits, and green, leafy vegetables like kale, are all packed with nutrients your eyes need. Fatty fish, like salmon and tuna, are good for your eyes too.

3. Reduce Your Screen Time

From computers and phones to tablets and TVs, screens are everywhere. Whether you use them for work, pleasure, or both, consider how much time you spend looking at a screen daily.

If you have ever stared at a device for an extended time, you know that eye fatigue can occur. The light emitted by digital devices can be harsh on your eyes.

You might not realize it, but you naturally blink less when looking at a screen. Not blinking enough can lead to dryness and irritation. To help avoid these uncomfortable side effects, limit your screen time.

When you have no choice but to look at a screen for an extended period, make sure you take breaks. A good rule of thumb is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

4. Protect Your Eyes With Eyewear

Every time you’re in the sun, you use sunscreen to protect your skin. Don’t forget to protect your eyes from intense sunlight by regularly wearing quality sunglasses.

UV rays have been linked to a variety of eye conditions, including cataracts. When selecting a pair of sunglasses, look for one that blocks UVA and UVB rays.

Protective eyewear is not only for time spent in the sun. Whether performing maintenance tasks around the house or participating in a sport like baseball or basketball, protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses or goggles as needed.

Could your eyes use some extra attention?