Protect Your Eyes with These Important Eye Care Tips

Our eyes are one of our most precious senses. They allow us to experience the beauty of the world. But did you know your eyes also can be a window to your overall health? From helping detect health problems to improving your well-being, caring for your eyesight leads to a better quality of life. Here are some important eye health tips to help you protect your vision:

  • Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens are good for you and your eyes. 
  • Bright colored fruits and veggies like oranges and carrots are good sources of vitamins that play an important role in vision and protecting against eye diseases.
  • Eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can also help with eye health. These include salmon, tuna, trout and halibut.

Learn more about eating to protect your vision.

  • Cigarettes and the effects of smoking can be linked to two of the leading causes of vision loss, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Learn more about the damage smoking can cause to your eyes and vision.

  • The sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can have long lasting effects on your eyes, and may cause early development of cataracts. 
  • Make sure your sunglasses protect against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Wear safety glasses when working with tools or objects that have the potential to cause eye injury.
  • Have your children wear protective eyewear when they play sports.

Learn more about how sunglasses can protect your sight.

  • Diabetes can harm your eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, which is in the back of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy.
  • Diabetes also increases your risk of other eye problems like glaucoma.
  • During a dilated retinal eye exam, an eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupil to allow more light to enter the eye – the same way an open door lets more light into a dark room. This lets the eye doctor get a good look at the back of the eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease.

Learn more about how diabetes affects your eyesight and how you can ward off potential dangers.

Seeing your eye doctor regularly is important for everyone to protect their precious sight. Find out when infants should have their first exam and more important information about eye exams.
 
If you have eye pain, floaters, decreased vision, double vision, drainage or unusual reddness, visit your eye doctor immediately.

Dry eye symptoms include irritation, grittiness or burning in your eyes, blurred vision and excessive eye watering. Factors like age, gender and environmental conditions can play a part in developing dry eyes.

Learn more about dry eyes and how to help reduce irritation.

Get more eye health tips through our video series featuring Dr. Jill Scullion and our health tip animations:

Tips to Ditch Dry Eyes

Eye Health with Easy Tips

Reduce Cataract Complications

Eye Issues in Children

Tips to Avoid Eye Injuries

Vision Safety & Contacts Care

Tips for Contact Lenses Safety

Combatting Diabetic Retinopathy

Protecting Eyes from the Sun

Eating for Better Vision

Protecting Eyes from Glaucoma

Screen Time & Children