Would you say you take care of your eyes? If you are not sure, your answer to this question is probably you do not. Don’t feel bad about it. Many people forget about the importance of eye health. This is even the case for those that take their healthcare regime to the next level. Fortunately, if you haven’t been taking care of your eyes in recent years, then it is not too late to start. Even more fortunately, just a few simple adjustments and additions to your daily routine can help to prevent a whole host of common eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. Keep reading to find out exactly what they are. 

1. Refrain from rubbing your eyes

Think about how you use your hands all day. The different things they touch, the dirt they pick up. Now, think about how rubbing your eyes directly transfers this dust, dirt, and bacteria into them. Not a pretty thought. Therefore, you should avoid putting your hands to your eyes where possible as this can help prevent both irritation and eye infections.

2. Practice frequent hand washing

You should be washing your hands regularly. If you aren’t, then now is the time to start. You should also wash your hands before preparing or after eating food, after coughing or sneezing, and after playing with a pet. 

3. Protect your eyes from sunlight

Prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV rays has been linked to several eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts. If you suspect that you may have already developed cataracts, a search for “cataract surgery near me” can help you find a local surgeon who can help you. If not, you still have time to protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes or by investing in UV-protected glasses or contact lenses. 

4. Give up smoking

Smoking makes you much more at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and other common eye conditions, including cataracts. Smoking can also cause dry eye, which makes your eyes feel sore and itchy and more prone to watering. 

5. Limit screen time

Spending too long in front of a computer screen or tablet can cause both eyestrain and tired eyes. As well as limiting your exposure, you should also position your screen or monitor about an arm’s length away from your eyes and make sure that you have sufficient lighting in the room. 

6. Wear protective eye gear

If you are engaging in an activity that could potentially cause damage to your eyes, then make sure you always wear the right protective eyewear. For example, if you are going swimming, wear swimming goggles, or, if you are carrying out DIY, you need to wear safety goggles. 

7. Keep your home clean

Too much exposure to dirt and dust can cause irritation to your eyes, which can lead to an infection. Therefore, if you want to keep your eyes happy and healthy, make sure your home is clean and clutter-free. 

Photo by Angelos Michalopoulos on Unsplash
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