While most of the kids I knew were still fighting vegetables, I became a little obsessed with them. Unfortunately, eating an unreasonable number of carrots did not prevent me from needing glasses by the time I turned ten years old. For me, genetics probably play a big role in why my vision started going bad, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that we can do to help improve or care for our eyes. Now, here are my top two favorite tips to keep your eyes happy and healthy.
First, wear sunglasses.
UV exposure is the number one way that eyes become damaged. As you get older, you become more likely to get cataracts or contract macular degeneration. Many people don’t even think about how much sun exposure their eyes receive on a daily basis, or feel like they are too young to worry about such things. But, starting young will help you retain your vision for as long as possible. Wearing sunglasses when you’re going outside is one of the easiest ways that you can ensure this. If you wear glasses and feel like switching between your regular glasses and prescription sunglasses are too much of a hassle – not to mention an extra expense – you may want to consider getting transitions lenses. Transition lenses turn dark or light depending on the light exposure around you. I love mine!
Second, take a break from your computer.
In these modern times, you can hardly do anything without a computer, tablet, or smart phone. While these are great and powerful tools that allow you to have the world’s knowledge at your fingertips, spending too much time staring at computer screen can cause you to have a whole multitude of eye problems. Side effects of looking at your screen too long can range from dry eyes all the way to blurred vision and headaches. The simple way to prevent this is to take breaks from staring at your devices, or blink your eyes more. Most of us don’t realize that when we are concentrating hard on a screen, we’re not re-lubricating our eyes by blinking.
Keeping your eyes in good condition doesn’t require any special equipment or magical medicines – just a little bit of common sense and a pair of UV protective sunglasses that you can pick up for five bucks (or less!) at your local convenience store. So, if you’re anything like me and you want to be able to see clearly for as long as possible, I hope you take these two tips to heart. These tips can help keep your eyes happy and healthy for longer.
