The eyes are one of the most important organs in our body. These days, with screens dominating daily life, knowing how to protect your eyes is more critical than ever. By following these simple steps and routines, you can reduce your chances of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other serious eye illnesses later in life. Let’s explore some of the best ways to keep your eyes healthy.

1. EATING FOR EYE HEALTH
There are several nutrients that are beneficial to eye health, so watching what you eat can go a long way in keeping your eyes at their best. Vitamin A deficiencies have been linked to dry eye, night blindness, corneal scarring, and general vision loss. Beta-carotene, a key nutrient in carrots, helps the body make its own vitamin A. Lutein and xeaxanthin are antioxidants found in dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli. These antioxidants are good for the retina and act almost as a natural protective filter for blue light. Other nutrients to look for include omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish like salmon), vitamin C (which protects against cataracts), and zinc.

2. QUITTING SMOKING
Smoking, as you may know, is very bad for health in the long term. Eye-wise, smoking increases the chances that you’ll develop macular degeneration and cataracts. It also makes it more difficult for doctors to treat any inflammatory disorders that could appear in the eyes. The short-term effects of smoking on the eyes are also very bad, as the smoke is a major irritant for the eyes. It could lead to more issues with dry eyes. It’s never too late or too early to quit smoking – your eyes (and the rest of your body) will thank you!

3. WEARING PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
Summer is around the corner, which can mean trouble for eyes. UVA and UVB rays can lead to damage over time, so make sure that you wear sunglasses that block these rays when having fun in the sun. For those that are fond of summer woodworking or metalworking, protective eyewear is an absolute necessity. Also, consider wearing protective eyewear when mowing the lawn as the freshly cut grass can abruptly go into the eye, requiring an emergency eye visit to get a particle removed.  

4. GETTING REGULAR EYE EXAMS
Similar to the rest of your body, your eyes need to get checked periodically to make sure everything is working okay. Annual eye exams can also catch smaller problems before they become more serious later and potentially lead to vision loss. Doctors recommend a checkup every year in order to stay preventative and keep your eyes at their healthiest. 

SCHEDULE AN EYE EXAM AT EYE2EYE
Are you interested in scheduling a comprehensive eye exam for you and your family? Eye2Eye is here to help. Eye2Eye is Alexandria’s go-to for personalized eyecare and eyewear with an emphasis on specialized services such as myopia, custom contact lenses, and dry eyes. Our experienced staff provides honest and comprehensive eye care services to our community using the latest technology and products. We are committed to caring for Everything Eyes ® and look forward to having you visit our clinics. Schedule your appointment request and our patient coordinator will contact you to schedule your visit Eye2Eye through our easy contact form.