6 Tips to Protect your vision
1. Eat well – A well-balanced diet assists in maintaining healthy weight and vision. The following nutrients haven been shown to help prevent vision loss:
- Zinc: Meat, fish, poultry, whole grains, dairy products
- Lutein: Corn, spinach, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts
- Vitamin A: Dairy products, carrots, kale, spinach, egg yolks
- Vitamin E: Eggs, whole grains, vegetable oils, sunflower seeds
- Vitamin C: Broccoli, green peppers, potatoes, citrus fruits and juices
- Fatty Acids: Coldwater fish, such as rainbow fish, mackerel and salmon; sunflower oil, corn oil
2. Quit smoking – Smoking causes or contributes to a variety of health concerns, including vision loss. Smoking has been linked to age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.
3. Stay fit – Exercising for at least 20 minutes per day is beneficial to both your body and your eyes.
4. Protect your eyes – Using UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light can help to slow the progression of cataracts induced by direct sunlight. Sunglasses protect your retina from injury and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer around your eyes.
5. Give your eyes a rest – The 20-20-20 rule can help you rest your eyes. To relieve eye strain, look at something else for at least 20 seconds at 20 feet away, every 20 minutes.
6. Have regular eye exams – A full eye exam is critical since it can detect eye conditions that don’t cause symptoms until vision loss has occurred.