36 everyday habits that can save your eyesight

Smartphones, laptops and other devices are a big part of our lives today, and while they help us do everything from working to stay connected to loved ones to shopping, they’re not doing anything to protect your eyesight. Staring at the screen for extended periods of time can cause computer vision syndrome, which is marked by eye strain, blurred vision, headaches and dry eyes. “Take frequent breaks during the day by way of the 20-20-20 rule,” says Morgan Statt, a Health & Safety Advocate at consumersafety.org. “Every 20 minutes, look away at something else for 20 seconds that’s at least 20 feet (six metres) away,” to give your eyes a break from using your near vision.

Read on for the scary reason you need to limit your child’s screen time ASAP.

“Blasting your A/C directly on your face may feel good on a hot summer day, but it can wreak havoc on your eyes,” Statt says. The dry air zaps away natural moisture on the surface of your eyes. To protect eyesight, she says, point the air vents away from your face.

“Choose sunglasses that protect against 100 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays, which can cause all sorts of eye damage and problems,” says ophthalmologist, Dr Vincent Hau. Your shades don’t have to cost a fortune either. “More expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better protection,” he says. “You can get [inexpensive] sunglasses with just as good of protection or better than designer ones.”

As well as offering sun protection, sunglasses are a stylish accessory. Read on to find out more about Jackie Kennedy’s style.

One of the common myths about sunglasses is that you don’t need them if it isn’t sunny. “Even on a cloudy day, UV lights still shine through and will hit and damage your eyes,” Dr Hau says. Think of your sunglasses the same way that you think about your sunscreen, and never leave home unprotected.

Wondering how to improve eyesight? “Visit your eye doctor once a year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam,” says optometrist, Dr Matthew Alpert. When your eyes are dilated, the doctor can see the back of the eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease. “Comprehensive eye exams aren’t just about the eyes. They can also help detect chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.”

Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to visit an eye doctor.

As tempting as it may be after a rough night, ophthalmologist Dr Inna Ozerov, cautions against snoozing in your contacts – even when the brand says it is OK. “The contact lens surface may allow micro-organisms to adhere to your eye, therefore increasing the likelihood of infection,” she says. Taking your lenses out before bed also gives your eyes more contact with oxygen, which decreases the risk of infection.

Here’s some great eye care advice to protect your vision.

In addition to all of the other health ills associated with smoking, “tobacco is extremely toxic to the cells of the retina, a thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye, and significantly increases the risk of developing macular degeneration, which may lead to blindness,” Dr Ozerov says. Macular degeneration occurs when the central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates.

Dehydration worsens dry eye symptoms, so if you’re travelling by air, drink lots of water before and during a flight to protect eyesight, Alpert says. “It is fine to enjoy alcoholic and caffeinated drinks as long as you drink extra water to make up for fluid loss,” he adds. Also, the overhead air conditioning tends to blow dry air directly into your eyes, so close the vents before take-off.

“Find a comfortable working distance from your screen,” Alpert urges. “This is especially important for children, since the intensity of light increases exponentially the closer our eyes are to light sources.” The blue light emitted by our go-to digital devices can raise our risk of developing macular degeneration and may also cause eye strain. Investing in a blue light filter can also help protect your vision.

“Turn down the brightness level of device screens to reduce blue light exposure, especially during evening hours,” Alpert says. This will lower the chances of developing eye strain and other eye issues associated with exposure to blue light.

Mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow can really make our eyes pop, but they can also clog the tiny oil glands at the base of our eyelashes. “This can lead to irritated, red and watery eyes, and can also make contact lenses uncomfortable,” warns optometrist Dr Monica Nguyen. “Take your makeup off at the end of the day before washing your face, as sleeping with that gunk on your eyelashes poses greater risk for bacteria build-up and subsequent infection,” she says. Afterward, gently run a damp cotton bud along the top and bottom eyelid margin to remove any remaining makeup residue and help open up those glands.

These easy tips will prevent make-up allergies.

Other ways to protect your eyes – without sabotaging your makeup style – include not sharing eye makeup with friends. Ever, as bacteria can easily transfer from mascara wand or eyeliner to your eye. You also need to clean your brushes regularly, and invest in new eye makeup every three months, Dr Nguyen says. And always ditch all of your eye makeup after an eye infection.

“Follow simple hygiene, such as hand washing, and proper cleansing of contact lenses with contact lens cleaning solution,” Dr Nguyen says. “For bi-weekly and monthly contact lenses, it’s important to remove the contacts at the end of the day, clean them in the palm of your hand, and allow them to sit in solution overnight.” It’s also important to clean them with the solution prior to putting them back on in the a.m. “Daily disposable contact lenses are great because you can dispose of them every day and start a fresh new pair the following day.”

Closing your eyes when you swim underwater may not be enough to protect your eyes. The same chemicals that disinfect swimming pools (chlorine and saline) can also harm your eyes, causing stinging, burning, dryness and/or redness. Dr David Evans, executive director of Better Vision Guide, recommends wearing goggles when you go swimming. These same chemicals can also cause contact lens irritations and infections. “If you accidentally wear contacts while swimming, remove them and rinse your eyes and the contacts immediately after the swim,” Evans says.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before you take up swimming.

It may not be sexy, but eye protection can save your vision. “Many eye injuries can occur at home or during recreational activities or sports,” Nguyen says. Avoid any harm by sporting protective eyewear, she says. “If an eye injury occurs, even if it appears minor, visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away for proper treatment to prevent possible vision loss and/or blindness.”

Research out of the University of Liverpool found that we tend to miss about 10 per cent of our face when slathering on sunscreen, especially on and around the eyelids. This is particularly concerning as about 10 per cent of skin cancers are known to occur in this thin and sensitive area. “Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin especially on your face,” says dermatologist, Dr Michele Green.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish help prevent dry eyes and keep the retina healthy, says Dr Justin Bazan, medical adviser to The Vision Council.

Not getting enough sleep can contribute to red eyes, Evans says. (Consider why they call flights departing late at night and arriving early the next morning ‘red eye’.) Create a sleep-friendly environment by keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and using it only for sleeping and sex. If you are consistently having issues getting a good night sleep and always wake feeling tired, talk to your doctor about what may be contributing to your poor sleep.

Read on for the essential guide to a deeper sleep.

Lutein (pronounced loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin) found in spinach, corn, broccoli and eggs, can help protect your eyes from disease. These nutrients are deposited in high quantities in the retina of the eye. While it is always best to get nutrients from whole foods, recent studies show health benefits from taking 10 mg a day of a lutein supplement and 2 mg/day of a zeaxanthin supplement.

Try this delicious spinach and fetta omelette (and help your eyesight at the same time!)

Regular physical activity can improve health in general and can specifically benefit your eyes. In fact, one study out of Sweden showed that exercise could reduce cataract risk. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. There’s more too. “Exercise staves off some of the diseases and conditions that affect vision such as diabetes and high blood pressure,” Dr Hau says. Here’s how to improve eyesight: aim for 30 minutes a day of aerobic activity on most days of the week, and always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your workouts.

Bugs Bunny was on to something – eating carrots can help you see better. “Carrots are one of many vegetables that are rich in vitamin A, which is very good for our eye health,” Dr Hau says. Make sure carrots or other vitamin A-rich-vegetables such as capsicums or pumpkin are part of your diet. “Rotate them in as one of your five a day a few times a week,” he says.

Want to know which foods best to help reduce stress? Find out here.

Your mother was right! Staring at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse, can cause blindness. “The sun’s rays are very strong and can burn or scar your retina,” Dr Hau says. “Never look directly at the sun and if you really want to watch an eclipse, view it on the NASA website.”

“Drugs like Visine that help get the red out work by constricting the blood vessels, and your blood vessels get used to it,” explains ophthalmologist, Dr Lisa Park. “If you overuse it, your blood vessels will get bigger and you need more and more Visine. It’s a vicious cycle,” she says. “Instead, try artificial tears to soothe your eyes.”

“If your eyes are itchy, it may be an allergy,” Dr Park says. “Wash your hands before touching your eyes to keep allergens like pollen out.” Check in with an allergist to see what may be causing your symptoms, and which treatments can help keep relieve them.

Do you suffer from allergies? Here’s how to survive allergy season.

“Smoke and other fumes can irritate your eyes,” Dr Park says. “Avoid smoke-filled rooms or bars whenever you can and make sure to air rooms out before spending time in them.” Choose fragrance-free cleaning products when possible to cut down on the risk of eye irritation from any fumes.

“If you sit too close to the screen or too far away, you may get dizzy or develop a headache,” Dr Park says. Everyone’s eyesight is different, so choose your seats accordingly.

When you blink, your upper eyelid spreads tears over the front of your eye to keep it moist. “If you don’t blink enough, your cornea can dry out and feel irritated,” Dr Park says. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and blink naturally.

“You won’t see well and your eyes will be strained,” Dr Park says. “This isn’t a common practice but sometimes young people will swap recreational lenses that change eye colours, especially around Halloween.”

Knowing your family members’ eye health history will shine some light on can your own risks for certain eye diseases that may be passed down. Start the conversation today.

Lose weight if you are overweight, as carrying around excess kilos increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma, Evans explains.

Has your diet failed to show results? Here are some reasons why.

Regularly smoking marijuana may screw up your vision, according to preliminary results from a French study. Study participants who used marijuana at least seven times a week showed a slight delay in the signalling of their retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) on the surface of the retina. These cells receive visual information, and any delay could suggest impaired vision.

Practicing yoga or another form of stress reduction every day can do more than keep you calm, cool and collected, it can also save your vision. “We know that stress can strain our vision and can also get in the way of making healthy choices that will benefit our overall health and vision such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise,” Evans says.

Could you hold this yoga pose if your life depended on it?

Eating too many refined carbs isn’t great for your overall health – and it could specifically mean trouble for your eyes. Eating high-glycaemic carbs may leave eyes more vulnerable to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that free sugars (added sugars as well as the sugar component of honey, fruit juice and concentrates) make up no more that 10 per cent of daily kilojoule intake.

Remember to take your lenses out before placing in a new set. Sounds simple enough, right? Unfortunately not everyone adheres to it. Doctors recently removed 27 contact lenses from the eyes of a woman who had been wearing monthly disposable lenses for 35 years. The findings appear in The British Medical Journal.

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Symptoms such as sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters (little ‘cobwebs’ or specks that float around your field of vision), light flashes in the eye, or the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision, mean you should see a doctor ASAP.

Rubbing may provide instant gratification for itchy and irritated eyes, but it can actually make things worse. “Rubbing your eyes may also increase your chances of infection by further spreading whatever it is that is irritating your eyes,” Ecabs says. See an allergist or eye doctor to stop the itch safely, he says.

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Source: RD.com