It’s no secret that our eyes are important. While our eyes are hard at work, we rarely stop to appreciate their capabilities. We rely on our eyes for everything we do like measuring just the right amount of sugar and flour or catching a ball on a warm, sunny day.

So how do we keep our eyes safe and healthy?

A Well-Balanced Diet

What does a well-balanced diet have to do with eyesight? A lot, actually. A healthy diet helps keep your eyes healthier. Make sure you help yourself to fruit, leafy greens like kale and spinach, and fish such as salmon, tuna or halibut. These foods have been proven to help your eyes.

Pay Close Attention to Vision Changes

Sometimes we don’t immediately notice changes in vision because those changes can gradually occur over time. Signs of vision change may include squinting, increasingly blurry vision, or noticing difficulty in reading or seeing things you normally could without an issue. If you begin to notice any of things, make sure you see your eye doctor.

Wear Protective Eye Gear

It’s important to protect your eyes from getting hurt while participating in one of your favorite activities. Whether you’re dribbling down the court like Michael Jordan, doing mad science experiments in chemistry class, or planting something beautiful in your garden, your eyes are at risk. The good news is, you can prevent injury by simply wearing protective eyewear.

Put on Some Shades

We all love a warm, sunny day. The Vitamin D instantly lifts our mood. While it’s nice to get outside and enjoy some sunshine, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can cause harmful damage to our eyes. There’s a simple solution: sunglasses. 

Follow the 20/20/20 Rule

Screens are a part of our everyday lives. Whether you’re sending a text, watching your favorite show on Netflix or working on a spreadsheet all day, screen time takes up a large part of our days. While technology brings a lot of good, looking at a screen for extended periods of time can tire your eyes. Fast. Follow the 20/20/20 rule to maintain your eyes. Every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.  

Information from The National Eye Institute.