If you could improve your eyesight, would you?
The good news is that you can! With lifestyle changes and healthier habits, you can improve your eyesight and your eye health. The earlier you start making these modifications, the better, as most adults start developing vision issues in their mid-40s and early 50s.
Below you’ll find some proven ways to boost your eyesight naturally.
Eat an eye-healthy diet
Your eyes benefit from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables because they contain essential vitamins and nutrients. For example, Vitamin A deficiencies hurt your supply of pigment that is critical for seeing in low-light conditions. Vitamins C and E can help prevent macular degeneration, a condition that affects your central vision.
Try to eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables such as:
- Carrots
- Red peppers
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Strawberries
Additionally, omega-3s found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines are recommended for optimal eye health.
Maintain a healthy weight
Type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are overweight. The disease has many negative side effects, including damaging the blood vessels in the eyes. As a result, you can develop diabetic retinopathy, a condition that leaks blood and fluid into the eye. By maintaining a healthy weight, you lower the risk for these complications.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule
The 20-20-20 rule reminds you to take breaks to prevent eye strain and fatigue. This is especially important when working on computers, as you can go for long stretches at a time. To follow this rule, look away from your computer every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Visit an eye specialist in Brooklyn NY
Seeing an opthamologist in Brooklyn NY is one of the most important things you can do for your eye health. Eye doctors are trained to identify signs and risk factors for eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal degeneration, age-related macular degeneration and optic atrophy. A thorough eye exam can also provide your eye doctor with a better understanding of your overall health.
Wear sunglasses and protective eyewear
You only get one pair of eyes, so treat them well! Wear sunglasses year-round to protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This radiation can cause conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium. When playing sports or working in the garage, be sure to wear the proper eye protection. Most protective goggles are made from polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than plastic.
While you can’t control certain eye changes, you do have control over these factors. To improve your eyesight and prevent damage, be sure to lead a healthy, active lifestyle, wear the proper eye protection and see your ophthalmologist in Brooklyn NY every year or two.