4 Ways To Protect Your Eyesight
Eyesight is important at every age. While there are vision correction options available, the best way to maintain good vision is to do your best to protect your eyesight. Here are four things everyone should do to keep their eyes in good health.
1. Wear sunglasses.
The sun can damage your eyes and cause eye fatigue. Get into the habit of wearing sunglasses whenever you're outside. Sunglasses will keep ultraviolet rays from hurting your eyes as long as you buy the correct type. Look for sunglasses that have a UV-resistant coating applied to their lenses. Cheap sunglasses may be made from tinted plastic, which doesn't provide sun protection. These cheap sunglasses can actually cause more sun damage since they trick your eyes into thinking there's less light, which causes your pupils to dilate in compensation. Always wear high-quality sunglasses.
2. Wear safety goggles.
Safety goggles should be worn anytime there is the potential for eye injury. Woodworking and metalworking are lucrative careers and popular hobbies, but they can create debris that may hit your eye. Invest in a pair of safety goggles made from hard, durable plastic. Safety goggles will protect your eyes from impact, preventing lacerations that could lead to pain, worsened vision, or even blindness.
3. Never rub your eyes.
Everyone experiences eye irritation from time to time. Itchiness or burning can be caused by a lack of sleep, allergies, or environmental irritants. If your eyes feel itchy or uncomfortable, you may be tempted to rub them, but this can cause corneal damage. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use saline or eye drops to find relief. If you don't have these items available or you believe there's something stuck in your eye, flush your eye out with clean, running water instead. If your irritation persists, make an appointment with your optometrist.
4. Get checkups at the optometrist's office.
You should have an eye exam performed every few years. It's not uncommon for people's vision to change throughout their lives. An optometrist will use a chart to test the strength of your vision, which will allow them to prescribe optometric aids if necessary. They will also check for the early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, and other health conditions that affect the eye. Preventive medicine is an important part of protecting your eyes. If you suffer from discomfort or have other warning signs for poor eye health, you should make a point to have eye exams more frequently.
To learn more about your eyes, contact someone who works in optometry.
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