It is quite common for people to take for granted the things that they have, thinking that nothing can take such things away from them. However, experience will tell you that anything in the world can disappear in just a blink of an eye. The same is true for the faculties and senses that you have been blessed with. Your sense of smell, hearing, taste or sight can actually be impaired or lost if you do not take care of them properly.
One of the most taken for granted part of the body is actually the eye. Nowadays, people are more concerned about losing weight, plumping their lips, increasing their breast size, or filling their butts rather than thinking of ways to care for their precious eyes. According to a research aimed at preventing eye diseases, the number of Americans, 40 years old and above, who will be visually impaired or blind in 2020 will increase to 5.5 million from 3.4 million today; and that’s despite the technological advancements in the field of medicine and ophthalmology.
Although it is normal to experience age-related vision problems, you can actually prevent many degenerative eye diseases. Here are some important things you can do to ensure the health of your eyes:
Wear a good pair of sunglasses
It is a known fact that looking directly at the sun, lasers or any strong source of light for an extended period of time can make you go blind. However, not many are aware that mere but frequent exposure to sunlight, especially during midday, can cause real damage to the eyes in the long run. That is why, whenever you are driving or walking under the sun, you should always wear sunglasses with good UVA And UVB protection.
You really do not have to buy ultra-expensive sunglasses. Cheap ones that are available in warehouse store counters are already sufficient. But before you buy one-dollar sunglasses, you have to ensure that it truly protects your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun or other strong light sources.
Eat foods that are rich in vitamins A, C and E
Another effective way to prevent future serious eye diseases is by adding foods that are rich in vitamins A, E and C to boost your eyes’ health. Foods that are rich in Vitamin A, which is a source of eye-building nutrient beta-carotene, include carrots, squash, apricot, deep orange produce, cod liver oil, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach.
Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, cantaloupe, raspberries, Brussels sprouts, mango, broccoli, strawberries and cauliflower. Meanwhile, good sources of Vitamin E are eggs, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
Use Proper Gear When Performing Certain Jobs Or Activities
If your occupation or hobby requires you to wear glasses, goggles or masks, you better wear them. They are created to make sure that your eyes and face are protected from harmful elements.
If you love to scuba dive or go swimming, you ought to wear goggles to protect your eyes from being irritated by salt water or chlorinated water. Some occupations also require you to wear masks. For example, welders should never forget to protect their eyes when they are soldering iron because sparks can truly make anyone blind.
Drink Plenty of Water
Waste products and toxins that are not properly eliminated actually affect your eyes indirectly. If you love your eyes, you ought to make sure that your body is able to effectively get rid of the toxins and waste products you get from the things that you eat and other environmental factors. Drink at least eight to twelve glasses of water everyday for successful waste elimination.