1. Choose foods that are good for eye health

Foods which contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and A are very good at protecting you from eye diseases. Get these nutrients by eating:

• Green, leafy vegetables: bok choy, kale,  etc.
• Oily fish: Salmon, mackerel, cold water tuna, etc.
• Protein from eggs, nuts, beans, etc.
• Citrus fruits
• Oysters and pork

2. Wear protective eye glasses

Sunglasses help protect your eyes from UV rays, reducing your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UV rays as well as reducing glares. In addition, you should opt for glasses that are big enough to protect your eyes from the side.

Besides sunglasses, you should use safety eyewear if your working conditions may harm your eyes, such as woodworking or welding, if you work with chemicals or if you play sports.

3. Limit electronic screen use

Staring at a computer or phone screen may cause your eyes to become tired, dry, and blurry.

You may ask your doctor to give you a pair of glasses to wear particularly when you are using your computer or phone. Don’t forget to blink more frequently, use eyedrops, and let your eyes rest for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

4. Always keep your eyes clean

To stay healthy, your eyes need to be kept clean. Therefore, if you use contact lenses, remember to clean your lenses and the container with special lens cleaning solution.

If you wear makeup, don’t let it fall into your eyes. Also, throw away any eye products that have been opened for more than 3 months.

5. Visit your eye doctor regularly

Even if you don’t have vision problems, you still need to get your eyes checked once every year to make sure they are in good shape. Many diseases such as glaucoma don’t have visible symptoms so you should get regular eye exams to spot them early on.

You should inform your doctor about your personal medical history and that of your family. While you are at it, check to see if you have any vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia.

In addition to taking care of your eyes, you should also quit if you smoke. Smoking not only harms your lungs but also takes a toll on your eyes!