A regular eye exam with your optometrist is needed to help detect early signs of eye problems and even update your prescription. However, eye exams do not happen frequently. For healthy young adults, you can have your eyes examined once every five years, increasing in frequency the older you get. But keeping your eyes safe is a daily job, and so it’s important to learn some good habits that can help keep your eyes and your eyesight safe everyday.
Proper eye care is actually very easy and doesn’t require you to make too many changes in your life. Here are some daily habits our doctors at Vienna Eyecare Center recommend you get into to keep your eyes healthy.
Stop Rubbing Your Eyes
Aside from irritating your corneas, rubbing also exposes your eyes to the dirt and millions of bacteria found on your hands. Even if your hands look clean, it’s still home to a lot of germs which could get into your eyes if you keep on touching them.
Shield Your Eyes Against UV Rays
Talk to your optometrist about using UV-reflective eyeglasses for your next fitting. UV rays are the number one cause of eye damage especially for older people. It’s important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes even on days when it’s cloudy.
Stop Smoking
Smoking restricts your blood vessels which could lower blood flow in different parts of your body, including your eyes. Smoking has also been linked to numerous eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Hydrate
Your eyes are the first parts of your body to dry out if you’re dehydrated. Drink plenty of water every day to keep both your body and your eyes sufficiently hydrated.
Diet and Exercise
Consider using contact lenses when you exercise to avoid too much wear and tear on your eyeglasses. Regular exercise is needed for a healthier body and, by extension, healthier eyesight. Combine this with a balanced diet for the best results.
Learn more about how to take better care of your eyes with our eye care professionals at Vienna Eyecare Center. Give us a call at (703) 938-7633 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation today. We serve patients in Fairfax and Reston, as well as Tyson’s Corner and other surrounding VA communities.
