I love Valentine’s Day! It is a great day to show everyone in your life that you care about them, but it is also a good day to pamper yourself, so why not start with your eyes?
- Don’t smoke!
Smoking is horrible for you and it is especially damaging to the eyes. It raises your risk significantly for developing macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, which are all sight-threatening eye diseases. Smoking also takes from your body essential minerals and vitamins that help keep your eyes healthy and contains chemicals that irritate and dry your eyes out.
- Watch what you eat!
Make sure to eat lots of veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. This will help lower your risk of eye diseases. Vitamins that are especially beneficial to the eyes are vitamins A, C, E, Omega-3, lutein and zeaxanthin. So carrots, leafy greens, fruits, and salmon are all good things to add to your diet!
- Wear sunglasses!
Yes, even in the winter! Prolonged UV exposure can damage the eyes and cause cataracts and macular degeneration to develop. Make sure your sunglasses have 100% UV protection and wear them all year even on cloudy days.
- Stay hydrated!
Drinking at least eight 8 oz glasses of water daily helps keep your eyes from getting dry.
- Exercise
Exercising is obviously a good practice for overall health, but studies also show that it can lower your risk of eye diseases. Cardio has been shown to lower eye pressure and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.
- Prevent Eye Injuries
Wearing eye protection can prevent 90% of vision loss due to injuries. Sport goggles or glasses made with polycarbonate lenses are designed so that if you are doing something risky to your eyes like playing sports or mowing the lawn, they are less likely to shatter if something hits them.
- Practice Good Makeup Hygiene
If not used properly, certain makeup products or tools can affect eye health. Make sure to clean brushes regularly. Throw away expired makeup products and eye makeup you used during an eye infection. Only apply makeup to your outer lid margin. Take your makeup off before going to bed. Don’t ever share makeup with your friends or use testers at the store!
- Avoid Digital Eye Strain
Most of us work on computers nowadays, so it is very important to limit screen time as much as possible. Digital eye strain causes dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and eye strain. I go by the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Wash your Hands!
Spread of conjunctivitis, or as most people know it, “pink eye”, can lessen by frequent hand washing, especially during winter months! Also make sure to avoid touching your eyes.
- Visit your Eye Doctor
Annual exams are key to maintaining good eye health. Even if you don’t think you have any problems with your eyes, it is important to check for early signs of sight-threatening conditions that may start with no symptoms. Early treatment is crucial to increase chances for optimal results.