We make resolutions for our general health, to take more vitamins, to eat better, to exercise, to improve our lifestyle, to improve our finances, but what about our eye health?
Here are some resolutions to keep your eyes healthy for the new year.
Make an appointment with your optometrist
It is recommended to visit your optometrist regularly to detect a vision problem or eye disease as early as possible. This can help avoid the after-effects of eye disease, especially in young children and people over 40. Vision problems include presbyopia, nearsightedness, astigmatism and strabismus. Some of these conditions can be corrected in young children if detected early. There are many eye diseases, but most of them can be treated before they affect your eyesight, so it's important to diagnose any issues early.
Wear quality sunglasses
The sun's rays can cause certain eye diseases or contribute to their development, such as cataracts. Also, just like your skin, your eyes can get sunburned, causing irritation, redness, tearing, discomfort or pain and a gritty feeling in the eye. There are simple steps you can take to help protect your eyes from sun damage, both in the short and long term. Wear good quality sunglasses as often as necessary. Ask your optician or optometrist for advice to make an informed choice.
Wear safety glasses
Sometimes all it takes is a little bad luck to have an accident that results in an eye injury. Sometimes it only takes a few seconds to lose your vision: a tree branch, a splash of toxic product, a piece of insulating material, etc., and that's it! Safety glasses will keep you out of trouble, whether you're playing sports, doing carpentry work or doing certain chores. Once again, it is important to be well informed to choose the right type of glasses for the situation.
Eat well
Fill your plate with fruits and vegetables of various colours. They will provide you with the vitamins (A, C, E and beta-carotene) needed to keep your eyes healthy. Zinc, lutein and omega-3 are examples of nutrients that are also beneficial. Eating more nuts, dairy products, and eggs can contribute to improving your eye health.
Get some exercise
If you're healthy, your eyes will be too. Exercising reduces your risk of diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and you maintain a healthy weight. This, in turn, promotes the health of your eyes.
Rest your eyes
To keep your eyes from working too hard, ensure your work area is well-lit. Take a break every 30 minutes when reading, writing or working in front of a computer screen to reduce eye strain. Never stare at a bright light source or the sun to avoid damaging your retina.
