It’s something that we know very acutely as we age. Our eyes connect us to the world around us, but of course, excessive screen time and having to work in front of our laptops all day, every day, means that our vision becomes affected. Thankfully, there are many steps that we can take to ensure that we maintain our vision beyond the basics. Let’s show you how to safeguard your sight:

Wear Sunglasses (Whatever the Weather)

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are one of the major culprits behind cataracts and macular degeneration, which both cause vision loss. Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays will shield your eyes from this invisible threat. Even in windy or cloudy weather, UV rays can harm your eyes, so wearing sunglasses as a daily habit is essential. You may get funny looks for wearing your sunglasses in all weathers, but the joke will be on them when their eyes start to deteriorate before yours!

Regular Eye Exams

Many people don’t realise that pigmentation changes in the eye, tiny deposits, or alterations in the retina or iris can signal early stages of eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. Basic eye exams don’t pick these up, but specialised imaging and eye scans at your opticians can detect the subtle pigment shifts, which means that you can get early intervention before the symptoms arise. After the age of 40, your eye exams should include these scans.

Nourishing Your Eyes With the Right Nutrients

We all know the importance of diet, and one that is rich in specific vitamins and antioxidants can support our eye health. Nutrients like vitamin C and E, zinc, omega-3, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, can protect the retina and reduce inflammation. In other words, make sure you consume plenty of eggs, citrus fruits, nuts, oily fish, and leafy greens! You may also want to think about a supplement that’s worth investing in as well.

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Conditions like diabetes and hypertension can severely damage the delicate blood vessels in your eyes, resulting in diabetic retinopathy or hypertensive retinopathy. Ensuring you control your blood sugar and blood pressure can reduce these risks, but also make sure that you stick to your medication plans, not just for your overall health, but to preserve your vision.

Limit Your Screen Time

We are all experiencing eye strain because of increased screen usage. One simple way to combat this is the 20-20-20 rule, which means that every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, and this simple technique can relieve eye muscle fatigue, reduce dryness, and improve your focus. Don’t forget to adjust your screen’s brightness and contrast, as well as considering blue light filters, and this can ease digital strain.

Protecting your eyesight as you age is more than just about managing obvious issues, but requires awareness of hidden risks. By making these conscious choices, you can live life fully and be healthier and stronger every day.