Everyone wants to have healthy eyes, but few know how to do that. Many people don’t know that there are eight things you can do every day to improve your eyesight and keep it healthy for the long term. Suppose you focus on improving your vision. You can prevent eye diseases such as glaucoma, dry eyes, Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and cataracts. But if you have dry eyes and MGD, make sure to undergo dry eye and MGD treatment so you don’t further damage your eyes.
With that in mind, here are the eight ways you can improve your eyesight:
1. Get enough sleep
The body rebuilds itself during sleep, so if you’re getting too little of it, your body will be less able to fight off infection and other problems. Sleep deprivation also leads to dry eye syndrome, a common cause of blurry vision and discomfort in the eye area. So make sure you get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Lack of sleep leads to poor concentration, fatigue, trouble focusing on tasks that require reading or seeing things up close, memory problems, and mood changes. It is also linked to an increased risk of depression, obesity, and high blood pressure. Getting enough sleep will help your brain function better, which allows you to pay attention and concentrate better during the day. It can also help prevent depression and eating disorders.
2. Stop smoking
Smoking damages the cilia inside the lungs, which clean out dust particles from your airways. It also causes the blood vessels in your eyes to become weaker, leading to vision loss down the line.
Smoking damages the cilia inside the lungs, which clean out dust particles from your airways. It also causes blood vessels of your eyes to become weaker, leading to vision loss down the line. Some of these effects are irreversible, which is why it’s essential to stop smoking as soon as possible if you’re planning on having a healthy vision for your future.
3. Have your eyes examined regularly
Wearing glasses and contact lenses is essential because they allow you to see clearly. But if your eye doctor finds something wrong with your eyes during a regular exam, then that’s great news! They will be able to refer you for treatment right away, whether it be through medication, surgery, or another type of treatment.
4. Get enough Vitamin A
Some foods are rich in vitamin A while others are rich in beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A by the body once consumed. Some examples of good sources of Vitamin A and beta-carotene include the following:
- Seafood—shrimp, lobster, tuna, salmon
- Leafy green vegetables—spinach, kale, Swiss chard
- Carrots and dark leafy greens
5. Get enough omega 3 fatty acids in your diet
Omega 3 is unsaturated fat, so it’s better than saturated fats such as those found in lard or butter. Omega 3 can be found in fish such as herring, sardines, trout, salmon, and flaxseed oil, a concentrated form of the omega 3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
6. Keep your blood pressure under control
High blood pressure damages blood vessels which can lead to vision loss. An excellent way to lower your risk of high blood pressure is by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Still, you should also monitor your blood pressure at home with a blood pressure monitor to avoid getting too high.
7. Protect yourself from the sun
Too much exposure to UV light damages the retina. So if you are outside for long periods or just want to watch TV or work on the computer, make sure that your eyes are protected against the sun! An easy way to protect your eyes is by wearing sunglasses with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection whenever you’re outside during daylight hours.
8. Avoid eye strain
Sitting in front of your computer and other electronic devices for long periods can cause eye strain. This results in dry eyes, blurred vision, and even headaches after spending too much time staring at a screen. So make sure to take breaks every 20 minutes by looking at something far away, blink often, and drink lots of water.
There are many things you can do to improve your eyesight. Getting enough sleep, not smoking, getting regular eye exams, eating healthy foods rich in Vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids, keeping your blood pressure under control, protecting yourself from the sun, and avoiding eye strain are only some of the ways you can improve your vision health.
