Look ahead to an eye-healthy 2023

Look ahead to an eye-healthy 2023


Many of us start the new year by examining how we can live healthier lives. However, we may overlook a key part of our health in this evaluation: our eyesight.

Here are five tips to help keep your eyes healthy this year.

First, if you wear glasses or have eye-related symptoms, schedule an exam with an ophthalmologist to screen for eye diseases like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration and to ensure your vision is at its best. Be sure if you wear contacts or eyeglasses that your prescription is up-to-date.

On that note, if you do wear contact lenses, make sure you’re taking proper care of them. This includes using the right cleaning solution and a clean storage case if the lenses are reusable, or disposing of lenses in a timely fashion. Also, take care never to shower or sleep in your contact lenses, as that could cause infections and long-term problems for your eyes.

Next, wear good quality sunglasses year-round to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays. Yes, this includes the winter months. Excessive exposure to UV rays is associated with harmful eye diseases.

You can also strengthen your eyes from the inside by eating eye-healthy foods that are rich in nutrients like beta carotene, including spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots.

Finally, follow the 20/20/20 rule. Most of us spend far too much time staring at computer, smartphone or tablet screens, which can strain our eyesight. To relieve the stress on your eyes, every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

With these tips in hand, you can look ahead to an eye-healthy year.

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