When you Google search “eye doctor near me” you’ll get tons of results for reputable opticians and optometrists in your area. Depending on which on you choose to visit, your appointment might be more productive than you ever could have expected.
The best eye doctors won’t just check your vision or the health of your retinas. They’ll also give you legit advice on how to improve your optic health. There are things you can do in your day-to-day life that will not only promote eye health, but can also improve your eyesight.
Here are 5 things you can do to promote the health of your eyes as much as possible.
Eat your greens!
When your mother told you to eat your broccoli at the dinner table, she was doing so in good faith. Believe it or not, she wasn’t just trying to make your life terrible by forcing you to eat those unappetizing green vegetables. The foods that you consume can have a huge effect on the health of your eyes, especially during your childhood.
Most people are aware that carrots are good for eyesight, but carrots aren’t the only food that can help. Try eating more leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collards. Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish that is high in omega fatty acids are another amazing eye-enhancing food. Try to eat more citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons) as well as non-meat proteins like eggs, nuts, and beans.
Wear sunglasses, even on overcast days.
This is a no brainer, but you should be wearing sunglasses. What most people don’t realize, however, is that sunglasses are also necessary even on days that aren’t overly sunny. Dangerous UV rays are still present, even when the sun isn’t shining strong. Find a quality pair of sunnies that block out at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays.
Cut down on screen time whenever possible.
With technology taking over the world, we spend much of our day staring at phone, computer, and TV screens. Looking at some sort of screen is inevitable, but do your best to take breaks whenever possible for the sake of your eyes. Staring at a screen can lead to eyestrain, dry eyes, blurry vision, and headaches.
There are apps you can download on your phone or tablet to make your screen less harsh on your eyes. These applications are really helpful when you are settling down for the night and your eyes are already tired from the long day.
Stop smoking those cigarettes.
We all know that smoking cigarettes doesn’t do wonder for our health in general. But did you know that it can damage the eyes, not just the lungs? Smoking can be harmful to the optic nerve and lead to macular degeneration.
See your eye doctor for regular checkups.
Your dentist isn’t the only doctor you should be visiting every year. You should also be making regular visits to the eye doctor. This is especially true if you have a history of eye diseases in your family or if you suffer from poor eyesight. Try visiting your local optician once a year, or every other year if you have no history of optic issues.
To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.