5 Tips to Protect Your Peepers

The eyes are an important part of overall health and well-being. We rely on our eyes for almost every waking moment which is why it is especially important that we are taking care of our eye health. To ensure proper eye health, there are steps one can take to ensure you always see your best. By learning how to maintain healthy eyes, you can have quality eyesight in your senior years. Below are five tips to follow to ensure the health of your peepers.

Dilated Eye Examine

While your eyes may seem fine and healthy, without a dilated eye exam, the true health of your eyes remains unknown. Many adults make the mistake of not visiting an eye doctor on a regular basis for a checkup which can lead the major eye health issues in the future. Visiting an eye care professional and having dilation completed will ensure that your eye health is intact.

If you wear contacts or eyeglasses, this exam will ensure that you do not have any eye health issues or need to update your prescription. If you do not currently wear eyeglasses or contacts, you may find that you need to start. A dilated eye exam can assist in finding eye issues early, including diseases. During the exam with your doctor, drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupil. This allows more light to enter the eye so that the eye doctor can look at the back of your eyes. This examination will determine if you have any damage or signs of disease.

Understand Your Family Eye History

For your eye health as well as your children’s, it is important to learn more about your family eye history. Talk to your parents and grandparents about their eye health. Has a condition or disease been in the family that is hereditary? If so, you will be able to talk to your eye doctor about the issue and keep a continual check on your eye health as well as children to treat any issue as soon as possible. By being proactive, you can hopefully avoid any major eye issues by treating it early.

Protective Eyewear

It is important to protect the eyes at all times. If you play sports and are at risk of eye injury, wear protective eyewear.  If you are working on a project around the house, wear proper eyewear. Eye guards or safety shields should be worn at all times if you are at risk of injury. Many adults avoid wearing protective eye gear when doing woodworking or remodeling in the home. During wood cutting or demolition, shards of material can easily enter the eye and cause damage. To avoid any unwanted issues, always wear protective eyewear when danger is present. This includes any eye safety wear needs during work as well. Always promote a safe work environment by wearing the proper eyewear.

Rest Your Eyes

Your eyes are constantly busy, especially if you use a computer or mobile device often. If you are focused, you may forget to blink, and your eyes can become tired. Be sure to take time to rest your eyes often. A rule known as 20-20-20 can be helpful when using a computer. Every 20 minutes, look away to an area that is about 20 feet away. Look at this area for 20 seconds. This practice can help to reduce the amount of strain on your eyes. Be sure to take breaks often to help your eyes rest on a regular basis.

Clean Eyes

It is also important to promote eye health with clean eyes. When you wear contact lenses, be sure to clean your hands and lenses properly. You can easily get an infection by not cleaning your contact lenses in the right way or by using dirty hands to put lenses in your eyes. Always wash your hands thoroughly before placing lenses in your eyes or removing them. You want to also practice proper disinfecting of your contact lenses and replace them as needed. By doing so, you can avoid any infection that could be harmful and painful to your eyes.

These are just a few tips to follow to ensure proper eye health. The eyes are important and are easily taken for granted until something happens to harm our vision. By visiting your eye doctor regularly and practicing eye safety and health will ensure your eyes remain healthy and in good condition for years to come. Be sure to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis to catch eye issues early and maintain the proper prescription for eyeglasses or contacts as needed.