Recent data from the CDC indicates that nearly 12 million people at the age of 40 or above have some form of vision impairment. Nearly 4.2 that has a visual impairment cannot have their problems corrected with lenses or glasses. Over 1 million are legally blind.
Developing eye problems as we age is unfortunately very common. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from visual impairment.
With this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about practicing good eye health.
Prioritize Healthy Eating
Sticking to a balanced diet is one of the easiest ways to improve eye health.
To reduce your risk for visual impairment, make an effort to incorporate foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Leafy greens with plenty of antioxidants can reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases such as macular degeneration or cataracts. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, can protect your eyes from excessive dryness.
Vitamins C prevents vision loss, vitamin E promotes healthy tissue, and if you read more here, you can learn about the benefits of vitamin A and how it can prevent blindness.
The best diet for your eye health prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, and keeps high fat or sugary processed foods in moderation.
Prioritize Healthy Lifestyle
Eating a balanced diet is one of the first tips for eye health. However, after you start eating right, you need to incorporate other healthy habits into your lifestyles, such as frequent exercise and adequate sleep.
Engaging in just 30 minutes of physical activity each day has numerous health benefits.
Obesity puts you at a higher risk for diseases and health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all of which can lead to serious visual impairment. By engaging in frequent exercise, you can maintain a lower, healthier weight.
Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Our eyes undergo a lot of strain. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can experience dry eyes, eye spasms, and dark circles. Implementing rest can refresh the eyes and improves overall functioning.
Protection for Eye Health
Too much sun can cause permanent damage to our eyes. Avoid frequent sun exposure by wearing sunglasses. If it’s particularly sunny, consider wearing a hat for extra protection.
Minimize Screen Time
It is not uncommon in a technologically advanced world that we find ourselves surrounded by television, laptop, and phone screens. This excessive screen time can have horrible effects causing fatigue, headaches, and blurry vision.
Some screen-related eye health tips include taking a break from the screen every 20 minutes.
Otherwise, remind yourself to blink frequently. You can even invest in screen filters and glasses that will block the blue light.
Final Advice
There is a multitude of lifestyle habits you can practice to improve your eye health. Almost as important as lifestyle habits are scheduling frequent appointments with your eye doctor. They are well-versed in your medical history and are the best source for any concerns you may have.
If you ever notice a problem with your vision, seek help sooner rather than later.
For more health and fitness tips, be sure to check out the rest of our site!