Eat better, take vitamins, exercise, quit smoking… It is true that preventive measures are very useful for maintaining health. In order to keep that of your eyes, what are the right actions to take?

 Tips and tricks for keeping your eyes healthy

Your eyes are very useful in accomplishing all the tasks of the day. They allow you to marvel at an autumn landscape, surprise your best friend’s knowing smile and feel the emotion of the other before they have said a word. It goes without saying that the loss of your sight would cause a significant change in your quality of life. In order to avoid or slow down the development of eye diseases as much as possible, here are a few tips and tricks at your fingertips.

1. See your eye care specialist

It is recommended that you visit your optometrist regularly in order to detect any visual disturbance or eye disease as early as possible. This helps prevent sequelae, especially in young children and in people 40 years of age and over.

Vision disorders include presbyopia, myopia, astigmatism, and strabismus. Some of these disorders can be corrected in young children if caught early.

Eye diseases are numerous. Most can be treated before affecting your eyesight, hence the importance of diagnosing them early.

2. You should see an optometrist or doctor promptly if:

you feel pain in the eye;
you have sensitivity to light;
you have vision disturbances;
you have any other unusual symptoms.

3. Watch out for the sun

The sun’s rays can cause certain eye diseases or contribute to their development, such as cataracts. Also, just like your skin, your eyes may get “sunburned” causing irritation, redness, tearing, discomfort or pain, and a grainy sensation in the eye.

Daily steps can be taken to protect your eyes from sun damage, both short and long term. Here are a few examples:

Wear good quality sunglasses as often as needed. Ask your optician or optometrist for advice to make an informed choice.
Wear a cap or a wide-brimmed hat.
Look for shade when possible.

4. Wear safety glasses

Sometimes it takes just bad luck to be the victim of an accident causing eye injury. Sometimes it only takes a few seconds to lose your sight: a tree branch, a splash of toxic product, a piece of fiber of insulating material, etc., and voila! Whether it is for playing sports, a carpentry job or as part of your professional activities, safety glasses will save you a lot of trouble. Once again, it is important to be well informed to choose the right type of glasses for the situation.

5. Eat a good diet

Fill your plate with fruits and vegetables of various colors. They will provide you with the vitamins (A, C, E and beta-carotene) necessary for the good health of your eyes. Zinc, lutein, and omega-3s are examples of nutrients that are also beneficial. Eating more nuts, dairy products, and eggs can help your eye health. Also remember that too much glucose (like that caused by poorly controlled diabetes) and cholesterol in the blood are bad for the health of your eyes.

6. Get some exercise

If you’re healthy, so will your eyes. By exercising, you reduce your risk of developing certain diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and you maintain a healthy weight. This is a measure that in turn promotes the health of your eyes.

7. Quit smoking

As you know, smoking causes a lot of damage all over the body and the eyes are no exception. It is estimated that a smoker is seven times more likely to suffer from eye disease than a non-smoker. In addition, smoking has the effect of drying your eyes. By quitting smoking, you significantly contribute to their health. If you want to quit for good, your pharmacist can help

7. Rest your eyes

To prevent your eyes from working too hard, make sure your work area is well lit. Do poses by looking into the distance every 30 minutes when reading, writing or working in front of a screen; your eyes will be less tired. Never stare at a very bright light source or the sun to avoid damaging your retina.

8. Keep your eyes well hydrated

To function well, your eyes must retain their hydration. Several factors can contribute to making them drier: smoke, pollution, excessive heating, taking certain medications, illnesses, etc. Get into the habit of blinking more often, and if you have dry eyes, use lubricating drops. Your pharmacist can advise you on the choice of a product and its optimal use.

Your eyes work for you all day. They deserve to be pampered. Preserve them as a precious work of art; they are as valuable if not more!