Everyday Eye Care Guide for Vision Protection

As with most things, protecting your eye health begins with simple daily habits that help you maintain your vision. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” or so they say, and preventing eye health problems can be as simple as changing a few of your usual habits. Want to learn how you can protect your eye health with a few daily tasks? Keep reading to get tips from our eye care center in Orlando, FL.

Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Your hands pick up a lot of dirt and bacteria on a daily basis, even if you don’t realize it. Every time you touch or rub your eyes, you risk transferring those germs to your peepers. This can lead to eye infections and irritation and may even make you sick. If you have a habit of rubbing your eyes, make an effort to stop. Determining the cause of your frequent eye rubbing (be it dry eyes or eye fatigue) is a good place to start.

Wash Your Hands Often

As mentioned above, dirty hands make you more likely to get an eye infection the next time you rub your eyes. So, keep those hands clean—especially if you’re putting in or taking out your contacts! This is a general rule for maintaining good health.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement; they can actually protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Overexposure to sunlight increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration, so putting on those stylish sunglasses can actually help protect your vision for years to come. If you’re not a fan of sunglasses, shading your eyes using a hat or visor is also helpful in protecting your vision.

Drink Lots of Water

Again, this basic health tip is actually a great way to protect your eyes too! Water powers just about every system in your body, and that includes your vision. Drinking plenty of water can prevent your eyes from drying out and becoming irritated. Dry eyes can also bring with them a host of other eye health problems, so grab that water bottle and have a drink!

Keep Screens at a Proper Distance

Remember when your mom used to tell you that sitting too close to the TV was bad for your eyes? Well, mother really does know best because she was entirely correct. Having screens too close to your eyes or in an incorrect position can cause eye strain. Try to keep your computer monitors roughly arm’s length away and 20 degrees below eye level.

Use Proper Lighting

Good lighting is also an important way to protect your eyes—but don’t assume that means bright lights. You should have sufficient lighting to see well without straining your vision. However, overly bright lights can create glare and strain the eyes. So, you should have sufficient but diffused lighting in every room for optimal vision health.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

If you work on a computer for extended periods (as most people do these days), ensure you follow the 20-20-20 rule for protecting your eye health. This means that every 20 minutes, you should look away from your computer and focus on an object roughly 20 feet away from you. Blink rapidly 20 times to help moisturize your eyes and prevent dryness. Then, return to your work. It only takes a moment, but your eyes will feel much less dry and fatigued at the end of the day if you do this.

Have Regular Optometrist Appointments

Just as regular checkups with your doctor help maintain your overall health, regular appointments with your optometrist help maintain your eye health. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, contact Bay Hill Eye Care to learn more about our eye care services in Orlando, FL, and schedule your appointment.