Eye-related health issues are pretty common across the country. As per a 2022 study, about 12 million people aged 40 and above have vision impairment and about a million experience blindness. All these issues stem from bad lifestyle habits, using eye lenses incorrectly, consuming the wrong foods, and, usually, negligence. There are plenty of ways in which one can keep one’s eyes healthy. Here are some ways to keep the eyes healthy:

1. Protecting the eyes from the sun
UV rays and sunlight can be the eyes’ worst enemies. Both of those elements significantly increase a person’s risk of age-related macular degeneration, photokeratitis, or corneal sunburn. Therefore, wearing sunglasses to protect one’s eyes from sun rays and UV rays is a wise thing to do. If one does not intend to purchase and wear sunglasses, then wearing UV-protected eye lenses, eyeglasses, or contact lenses will also do. Also, wearing visors, face scarves, caps, and hats is advisable.

2. Exercising often
Exercising is a sure-shot way to get healthy in multiple ways. For instance, if an individual works out regularly, their blood circulation occurs smoothly. This ensures that bodily organs such as the eyes receive optimal blood and nutrition. Excessive calories, blood sugar, or cholesterol lead to diabetes or cardiovascular problems, both of which can cause vision impairment in people of all ages. The exercise does not even have to be extensive. Just an hour of walking briskly or skipping a rope for about 15 to 20 minutes is good enough body movement.

3. Giving one’s eyes a break
Today, it is not uncommon for people to spend hours upon hours in front of books or smartphones. Bad lifestyle habits also lead to people developing issues such as insomnia. Basically, the eyes get little to no rest throughout the day. Over time, this causes long-term vision impairment and other ocular problems such as myopia, blurry vision, poor eyesight, and other similar problems. One needs to close their eyes on frequent occasions throughout the day. A little bit of rest can be invigorating for one’s eyes and also keep ocular health issues at bay for longer.

4. Getting an annual dilated eye exam
Eye examinations help people identify any prospective eye health issues. With that knowledge, individuals with issues that could go on to become full-blown vision impairment problems can take specific measures to avoid or delay that outcome. Adults should have a yearly dilated eye exam to detect issues like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Diseases like these tend to slowly work their way toward impairing one’s vision. Users will not be able to know about the destruction they cause unless they do not undergo regular dilated eye exams. Undergoing an annual dilated eye exam is a proactive way to keep one’s eyes healthy.

5. Limiting exposure to digital screens
The present era is a digital screen-driven time in which people are frequently glued to the blue light emanating from their smartphones, laptops, televisions, and tablet screens. Over time, screens can debilitate one’s vision power and cause issues like myopia and blurry vision. The only way to get past this problem is to maintain a strict routine in which screen time is restricted to only a few minutes or hours per day. Doing so will not only protect one’s eyes but also bring a sense of structure and clarity into one’s daily life.

6. Washing hands before touching the eyes
A person’s hands touch several surfaces throughout the day, whether bus railings, staircase handles, door knobs, food items, others’ unwashed hands, credit cards, ATMs, products in stores, elevator buttons, switches, and similar others. Such public spaces are riddled with germs and bacteria that can cause people all kinds of health issues. Many people have a habit of constantly touching their faces and eyes. In such instances, the bacteria and germs from filthy public spaces get transferred to their eyes and faces. To avoid eye problems stemming from this oversight, people can wash their hands with soap and water or regularly sanitize their hands using disinfectants or sanitizers.

7. Eating nutrient-dense foods
At some point in their lives, everyone may have heard the saying, “We are what we eat.” A person’s eye nutrition is closely linked to their overall ocular health. Eating fried foods, canned foods, and foods generally perceived as unhealthy can result in eye diseases, infections, and poor functionality. Some of the best nutrients are vitamin C (found in tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, and broccoli), zinc (present in beans, red meat, seafood, and seeds), omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish, soy beans, and walnuts), and vitamin E (found in avocados, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and almonds).

8. Going outside regularly
It may not seem like much, but going outdoors regularly keeps the body healthy, the mind fresh, and the eyes constantly rejuvenated. Going out involves a combination of exercise, bodily movement, exposure to positive elements, and interaction with other healthy people, all of which can greatly benefit a person’s overall health and fitness. Going outdoors often has been medically found to be healthy for one’s ocular health in the long term, as it would also ensure that one is not stuck in front of their smartphone screen.