5 Important Eye Health and Safety Tips

September 1, 2016

September is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and Children’s Vision and Learning Month. That means you may want to consider going to the optometrist for you and your children. While you may not realize it, you and your child’s vision can be changing with age. Be sure to schedule regular visits with your optometrist and in between visit here are a few eye health and safety tips to keep you and your children’s’ eyes healthy.

1. Stay Hydrated

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This way you will have plenty of water in your system to keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable. Without enough water, your tear ducts will become dried and painful. You can drink water, iced tea, hot tea, or infused water. Having enough water in your body helps keep everything flowing into the right place.

2. Wear Shades

UV rays can be incredibly damaging to your eyes as well as your skin. Even on cloudy days, you should wear sunglasses outside and while driving. This will keep your eyesight safe and you will be comfortable on your afternoon walk or drive home. When purchasing sunglasses be sure to buy shades that block 98 to 100 percent UVA and UVB rays.

3. Exercise

Having an active lifestyle will help fight muscle degeneration in the muscles exercised and other muscles as well. Your eyes can often benefit from regular exercise because it can stimulate blood and fluid circulation. You will also be able to appreciate the sites around you as you jog, walk, or run.

4. Eat Your Greens

Diet is incredibly important for your eyesight. While you should maintain a healthy diet for the betterment of your life, in general, there are some foods you can eat to benefit your eyes as well as your body. Be sure to eat lots of leafy greens like spinach, arugula, and broccoli. This stuff is full of anti-oxidants, fatty acids, and silica. These nutrients help to strengthen the eye’s tissues and muscles which can keep your eyesight healthy in the long run.

You can also have food items such as carrots, cucumbers, seafood, and shellfish that are also full of beneficial nutrients and vitamins. Not a bad excuse to head down to your favorite crab shack.

5. Take a Break

For every 20 minutes you sit in front of your computer, you should take a 20-second break away from your screen. Close your eyes or blink for 20 seconds to keep your eyes from becoming strained and painful. If you have a chance, however, put on your shades and take a walk. Your eyes will thank you!