| Protecting your eyes doesn't have to be a | | | | However, an annual exam is even more important |
| full-time job. All it takes is a little care and | | | | because it helps detect eye diseases that you |
| consideration when it counts, like when handling | | | | wouldn't know how to look for on your own. |
| contacts or making an annual appointment with | | | | Early discovery is often crucial to recovery in |
| the eye doctor. If you follow these simple steps, | | | | cases of glaucoma, macular degeneration, |
| you will be well on your way to laying the | | | | cataracts, and more. If you notice your vision |
| groundwork for long-term, healthy eyesight. | | | | drastically changing with some signs like blurred |
| A Healthy Diet as a Good Foundation | | | | vision or sudden eye pain, you should get down to |
| Good eye maintenance and prevention of severe | | | | your doctor's office right away. By keeping up |
| effects caused by disease have a lot to do with | | | | with your yearly check-ups, you'll be well informed |
| what we eat. Consume foods rich in vitamins A | | | | on the condition of your eyes and help prevent |
| and C, like carrots and citrus fruits, to promote | | | | the sometimes disastrous consequences that can |
| eye health with long-term benefits. Vitamin E, | | | | occur by skipping your appointments. |
| when combined with the nutrient Lutein, can help | | | | Take Breaks from the TV and Computer |
| reduce the risk of developing cataracts as a | | | | The tendency to zone out in front of the TV or |
| senior. | | | | computer is more and more common in today's |
| You'll find these nutrients in foods such as broccoli | | | | society. A fixed stare for a prolonged period of |
| and eggs. Zinc can be found in beef, pork, and | | | | time can cause irritation and dryness, so be sure |
| lamb, and is another element that is important in | | | | to get up and move around every half hour or so |
| supporting good eye health. And it's a great idea | | | | to give your eyes a break. Eight to ten feet is a |
| to stock up on antioxidant-rich foods, from leafy | | | | good distance to maintain between your eyes and |
| vegetables to colorful fruits. By giving your body | | | | the TV screen. Be sure not to stare at a bright |
| the natural ingredients it craves, you'll be preparing | | | | screen in a dark room for a long time since the |
| yourself for healthier eye care in the future. | | | | contrast can cause eye fatigue. Play around with |
| Shield Your Eyes | | | | the brightness and contrast of your monitor to |
| Prevent your eyes from experiencing the harmful | | | | find a level that's comfortable for your vision. |
| effects caused by not wearing the right | | | | Whether your children are enjoying a night of |
| protective eye gear. With UVA- and UVB-blocking | | | | video games or you're sitting in front of your pc |
| sunglasses, you'll keep out the sun's harmful rays | | | | at work, it's always good to remember to go |
| that can cause damage to your eyes with | | | | easy on your eyes. |
| repeated exposure over time. It's important to be | | | | Take Care of Glasses and Contacts |
| prepared year round, and not just in the summer. | | | | Glasses and contact lenses aren't cheap, so why |
| If you wear glasses, check out transition lenses | | | | not do your best to take care of them? Purchase |
| that darken in the sunlight and lighten indoors to | | | | a hard case for your glasses along with a cleaning |
| provide everyday protection you don't have to | | | | cloth so that you can cut down on the likelihood |
| remember to put on. | | | | of scratching and bending. Resist the urge to push |
| It's always important to wear the correct eye | | | | your glasses up on the top of your head, as it |
| gear in physical activities like playing sports, using | | | | bends the stems outward and wears down on |
| power tools, or doing some yard work. Even a | | | | the frame. |
| small speck of debris can wreak havoc in your | | | | If you are a contact-wearer, then be sure to |
| eye, so buy a pair or two of protective goggles | | | | take extra caution when handling, storing, and |
| that you can keep around the house. | | | | cleaning your lenses-your eyes depend on it! |
| The Eye Doctor Is Your Friend | | | | Protein build up can happen when your contacts |
| Many times, people are tempted to skip their | | | | aren't cleaned or replaced regularly, which in many |
| yearly eye exam due to financial reasons, laziness, | | | | cases leads to ulcers and infection. Never wear |
| or because they feel it's unnecessary. Nothing | | | | your contacts longer than recommended and |
| could be further from the truth! If your eyes are | | | | always, always wash your hands before handling! |
| straining because they need a stronger | | | | Treat your glasses and contacts with care, and |
| prescription of contacts or glasses, you could | | | | you'll be on the right path to healthy eyesight for |
| develop tension headaches and declining vision. | | | | many long years to come. |