Millions of people all over the world spend a huge amount of time, money and effort trying to improve their health, lose weight or get fit, but many of us neglect our eye health, which is crucial to our quality of life. So how can we make some simple changes to take better care of our eyes?
In this post, we’ll look at three simple ways you can improve your eye health, and minimize the risks of developing AMD, cataracts and other ailments with serious potential consequences.
1. Ensure you get the vitamins and nutrients your eyes need
Whether it’s through your diet, supplements or just multivitamins, there are numerous nutrients that play a major role in keeping your eyes healthy. You should be looking for the following nutrients in your food or supplements:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-carotene
- Zinc
- Zeaxanthin
- Selenium
- Lutein
- Calcium
- Thiamin
- Folic acid
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids
- N-acetyl cysteine
- Alpha lipoic acid
If you prefer to get your nutrients the natural way, aim for plenty of fish, fruits and vegetables, and replace chocolate and sweets with nuts and seeds.
2. Wear appropriate eyewear
When you’re out in the sun, be sure to wear high quality sunglasses that reduce glare and protect your eyes from debris. In particular, you should be wearing sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection – you can check this in advance by asking before you make a purchase, especially if you’re buying less expensive frames. If you’re happy to splash out a little, big names like Chanel, Tom Ford, Ray Ban or Oakley sunglasses will be put through rigorous testing procedures to ensure your eyes are properly protected – a good way to justify that luxury purchase!
Similarly, if you’re engaging in an activity that might present a risk to your eyes – such as sport or DIY – ensure you’re wearing appropriate eye protection at all times.
3. Stop smoking
Smoking is not only anti-social, expensive and linked to numerous forms of cancer and other diseases, but there is a very real and confirmed link between smoking and visual impairment, particularly AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and cataracts, the two leading causes of vision-loss in the UK and the US.
So when it comes to taking better care of your eyes, a few simple changes in lifestyle or habit could make a considerable and noticeable difference, and ensure your vision stays healthy for many years to come.
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