Your sense of sight is arguably the most important function in your day-to-day life, and that is why you need to protect your eyes all the time. There is also the problem of sight-threatening conditions that have no noticeable symptoms, for example, glaucoma, so the only way for you to prevent it is to have your eyes checked regularly.
One common eye problem is eye strain, particularly among individuals who use computers at work every day. You are also prone to this condition if you play video games or use your mobile phone excessively. The blue light from the screens of these devices is said to cause eye strain. The symptoms of eye strain include dry or watery eyes, eye discomfort, blurred vision, and headaches.
You can get rid of eye strain after you take some rest, but that does not mean you should already ignore it. What will significantly help is to reduce the glare of your screens by changing the brightness settings in your devices. You can also choose to install anti-glare screens or glasses.
Have Regular Eye Check-ups
Make sure to visit a doctor at least once every two years to have your eyes checked. Eye exams can pick up early signs of a change in vision, so your doctor can help you correct these changes early, preventing problems to worsen.
Improve Your Workspace
If you are working in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, five days a week, the best thing that you can do to protect your eyes in the workplace is to put your screen around 20 to 24 inches away from your eyes, with the centre at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees below your line of sight.
Do not forget to take breaks, too, by looking at faraway objects and resting your eyes. Your surroundings can also influence your level of eye strain. What you can do is adjust the brightness of the sunlight through your office’s windows by installing UV films with the help of window film suppliers.
Drop the Cigarettes
In case you did not know, smoking can increase (or even double) the risks of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of eyesight loss in the UK. The connection between smoking and lung cancer can be just as strong as in your eyesight.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
An unhealthy diet can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes, which, in turn, increase the risk of loss of sight. Health experts recommend a diet low in saturated fats and rich in vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, and spinach.
Too much alcohol, meanwhile, affects liver functions, reducing glutathione in the process. These are the antioxidants that help protect the eyes from common diseases.
Never take your eyes for granted. Some people out there would want to have the sense of sight that you enjoy every day. Even as simple as keeping your sunglasses on when you are out under the hot sun is already a significant step. Take all of these simple steps to protect your vision.