People don’t really give much thought to their eye health until they start having vision problems. Sadly, some eye diseases have mild to no symptoms in their early stages. You might not be aware that your vision has already changed as years go by. Some of these can impact the way you see, or worse, even result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. The good news is that even simple precautionary steps can help prevent the onset or slow down the progression of an eye condition. Here are 10 tips that can help save your vision:

 

Wear Sunglasses with UV Filter

Prolonged sun exposure over the years will not only damage your skin, but it can also harm your eyes. It’s best to wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays every time you’re outside. Sunglasses help delay cataract development, prevent retinal damage, and protect your delicate eyelid skin.

 

Quit Smoking

You already know how smoking tobacco can increase your risk of developing respiratory diseases and numerous cancer types. But did you know that it also has adverse effects on your eye health? The American Academy of Ophthalmology confirms that smoking tobacco can worsen some eye problems. These include dry eye disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration, among others.

 

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Eating carrots can indeed help improve vision. But a wide variety of vegetables should also be part of your diet. Studies suggest that people who consume foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals like zinc, as well as omega-3 oils are less likely to suffer from early or advanced macular degeneration.

 

Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Adults aged 40 but with no risk factors or symptoms of eye disease should get a baseline eye examination. This is the time when vision changes may start to surface. Anyone who shows eye disease symptoms has a family history of eye disease or existing medical conditions have to see an eye specialist as often as necessary. They will tell you how often your eyes need to be examined based on your existing conditions and risk factors.

 

Wear Eye Protection

Another way to protect your eyes is to wear proper eye-protective eyewear when doing certain activities. These include sports, home improvement projects, and gardening, to name a few.

 

Find Out Your Family History

A lot of eye diseases are hereditary. Knowing your family history will help determine whether you are at an increased risk.

 

Ensure Early Intervention

Some eye conditions may be more easily and successfully managed if detected and treated early. If left untreated, diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration can lead to severe vision loss.

 

Be Familiar with Different Eye Care Providers

Your eyes and the visual system can be affected in various ways. Opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists play a crucial role in protecting and preserving your eye health. Since each has varying levels of training and expertise, ensure that you are seeing the right eye care provider.

 

Maintain Proper Lens Care

If you are using contact lenses, see to it that you follow your doctor’s instructions on how to put them on. They will also provide guidelines for proper cleaning and storage.

 

Look Out for Eye Fatigue

You may strain your eyes when doing close work or working on your computer. Follow the 20-20-20 rule so your eyes can get enough rest throughout the day.

 

Find out if your vision might be at risk, contact City Eyes Optometry Center in Sherman Oaks, California at (818) 960-1300 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.