How to Take Care of Your Eyes
There is a saying that the eyes are the windows to one’s soul, and if that holds true, you definitely do not want anyone getting distracted by those wrinkled, dark, red, and puffy areas around your eyes. Battling with late nights, long days at the computer, and weekend hangovers, it is likely that your eyes have seen better days.
Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
While the sun is great for getting that tan just in time for summer, too much exposure can be damaging to your skin and your eyes. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) light that can damage and burn your skin and eyes. In fact, ophthalmologists warn that too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, growths on the eye, and cancer.
In addition, the brightness of the sun often makes us squint if we are not equipped with the right equipment. Squinting can cause strain on your eye and also increase the chances of wrinkle formation around your eyes. Because the sun is so damaging to your eyes, it is essential to take the necessary precautions before going outdoors. Here are some helpful ways you can protect your eyes from the sun:
Wear Sunglasses. Make sure you wear sunglasses with UV protection to ensure your eyes are safe while outside. For the ultimate protection, wear sunglasses with larger lenses that wrap around the eye to block out the sun on the sides in addition to the front.
Wearing sunglasses will also keep you from squinting, another cause of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet.
Add a Cap. Adding a hat to your wardrobe before going outside will offer additional protection from the harmful UV rays. Broad-brimmed hats can help protect your eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes, plus it can prevent premature aging.
Wear Sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied in order to prevent burning or other skin damage. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin, especially the face and the skin around your eyes.
HOW LOOKING AT SCREENS RUINS YOUR VISION
Blue light from your devices may be linked to macular degeneration, impairment of your central vision. Plus, not blinking fully while staring at a screen can cause “computer vision syndrome”—dryness, pain, and fatigue.
SAVE YOUR SIGHT: Keep any screen at least 16 inches from your face, and bump up the text size, says Mark Rosenfield, Ph.D., of SUNY College of Optometry.
How reading too close to your face ruins your vision
The closer you hold something to your face—a phone, a book—the harder your eyes work. This strain may cause your eyeballs to elongate, possibly resulting in myopia.
SAVE YOUR SIGHT: Use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
How Skipping Leafy Greens Ruins Your Vision
Avoiding leafy greens means you miss out on nutrients, such as nitrates and lutein, that can help ward off glaucoma and macular degeneration.
SAVE YOUR SIGHT: Nitrates help promote bloodflow to the retina.
A recent study found that people who eat 240 milligrams a day (a cup of spinach) are 30 percent less likely to develop glaucoma than greens haters. Look out a window if you can; broad vistas help your eyes relax.
HOW STRESS RUINS YOUR VISION
The stress hormone cortisol can lead to impaired retinal function.
This can result in a condition known as central serous chorio-retinopathy (CSCR), a buildup of liquid that causes blurry vision.
SAVE YOUR SIGHT: Exercise and meditation can slash stress. Or rock out regularly: An hour at a live music event can lower cortisol levels by 25 percent, a U.K. study found.
