A simple, but common question I receive from patients is: “how can I care for my eyes“? Most of us know that we should eat a balanced diet, and exercise. But, not much education is provided on daily eye care. It is certainly something worth knowing, because when it comes to your eyes, you only have the one pair for life!
“If it aint broke then don’t fix it…”
What is good eye care, for that matter what is eye care in the general sense? Many of us just aren’t aware. We have taken the approach “if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it”. Sorry to tell you folks; this is the WRONG approach. Just like any other part of our body, we must take proactive steps to ensure it’s maintenance and longevity. That is precisely why we go to the dentist regularly, or at least we should be!
Caring for your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated or hard. I recommend my patients follow these simple tips to ensure they will be seeing clearly for their entire life:
- Don’t miss your regular eye exam. Being proactive when it comes to your eyes is extremely important. Your eyes are irreplaceable. Catching eye diseases and conditions earlier, allows for better treatment options and a greater success rate. Because many eye diseases have no symptoms, making your regular eye exam can ensure these sight-threatening eye diseases can be caught and caught early!
- Don’t delay seeing your optometrists for vision/eye issues. Many patients believe that symptoms will go away on their own, and a visit to an optometrist is usually unnecessary. In some cases, not seeing your eye doctor, can result in permanent vision loss, like in the case of a retinal tear. I always tell patients it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Eat for your eyes. Eating a well-balanced diet should ensure your eyes are getting all the nutrients they require. More information on eye-specific foods can be found here.
- Practice good computer techniques. Use the 20-20-20 rule to ensure your eyes are getting a break! In addition, take steps to protect your eyes from harmful daily activities, like blue light.
- Wear sunglasses.
- Wear protective eye gear. Especially, when playing sports or working in a hazardous environment.
See, caring for your eyes doesn’t have to be difficult. But, and this is a big but, following these simple steps daily can really help preserve the health of your eyes. So, remember the best line of defense when it comes to your vision is being proactive.
If you have more questions about how to care for your eyes, give us a call or book an appointment online with Dr. Sharma.
We are your local Victoria eye doctors, ensuring you can see your very best!