Did you forget to wear your shades while stepping into the harsh sunlight today? Are you constantly sitting in front of digital screens without taking adequate breaks? Did you fall asleep again while wearing contact lenses? Did you accidentally reuse your disposable contact lenses? Did you skip your annual eye check-up yet again?
Why so many questions? Well, these make up for just some of the many basic things that people tend to overlook when it comes to eye health. These seemingly innocent oversights, along with decisions that people take daily, can eventually take a toll on your eyesight and overall vision.
The Importance of Healthy Eyes
Protecting your eyesight is one of the critical actions that you can do to assist you in maintaining your quality of life.
As per a conducted study by the World Health Organization, approximately 1 billion people across the world suffer from vision impairment as a result of the following:[1]
- Unaddressed Presbyopia (826 million)
- Unaddressed Refractive Error (123.7 million)
- Cataract (65.2 million)
- Glaucoma (6.9 million)
- Corneal Opacities (4.2 million)
- Diabetic Retinopathy (3 million)
- Trachoma (2 million).
To avoid falling prey to the aforementioned vision impairments, it is essential to take care of your eyes. Here are some simple tips that can help you protect your eyes and also keep them healthy:
- Follow a Nutritious Diet
According to research conducted, antioxidants help in reducing the risk of age-related Cortical and Nuclear Cataracts [2].
Apart from this, nutrients like zinc, Vitamin C and E, lutein, and Omega-3 fatty acids also help in safeguarding your eyes from vision issues like Macular Degeneration, poor night vision, dry eyes, and Glaucoma [3]. Hence, you should make sure to incorporate the following foods into your diet:
- Oily fish like salmon and tuna
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
- Citrus fruits
- Eggs
- Almonds
- Dairy
- Carrots
Protect Your Eyes from Ultraviolet Rays
Whenever you are outdoors, you should make it a habit to wear sunglasses as they help in safeguarding your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Prolonged exposure to sun rays without protection may increase your chances of Macular Degeneration and Cataract [4].
It would help if you chose a pair of sunglasses that blocks 99%-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Furthermore, the wraparound sunglasses help in protecting your eyes from the side. If you are wearing contact lenses, some of them may offer protection, but it is still a good idea to wear sunglasses to add an extra layer of security.
Schedule Regular Eye Check-ups
Visiting the eye doctor and having your eyes tested is something that you should do regularly as it helps in protecting your eyes and lets you see clearly.
Regular eye check-ups can also help in finding vision problems like Glaucoma that have no symptoms [5]. Thus, it is crucial to recognise the problem early on, as it is easier to treat. Comprehensive eye check-ups or tests usually include the following:
- Vision tests
- Discussing your family and personal medical history
- Optic nerve along with eye pressure test to check for Glaucoma
- Microscopic assessment/examination of the eyes before and after dilation process
Precautionary Steps While Wearing Contact Lenses
If you wear daily disposable contact lenses, monthly disposable contact lenses, or annually disposable contact lenses, you can follow these preventative steps to keep your eyes healthy, such as:
- Do not sleep while wearing contact lenses.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses 24/7.
- Do not apply saliva or water on your disposable contact lenses.
- Refrain from swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses.
- Always rinse your contact lenses with the fresh solution and avoid reusing old contact lens solution.
Protect Your Eyes in the Correct Manner
If you face any eye issues, you should visit a trusted optometrist for a proper and correct diagnosis. If the prognosis suggests visual aids like daily disposable contact lenses or monthly disposable contact lenses, you should consult your eye specialist and choose from premium quality contact lenses from reputable brands like Bausch+Lomb.
A globally-renowned brand that is well-known for its innovation and technology in the contact lenses industry. Experience clear, precise and sharp vision with Bausch+Lomb Now!
