Eye Health: Tips for Healthy Eyesight

 

Take Care with Screen Time

Is screen time bad for your eyes? Looking at computer, tablet, TV, and smartphone screens may make your eyes tired and cause eyestrain. Blue light from screens may also damage your eyes. Follow the 20-20-20 rule when logging screen time. This means for every 20 minutes you look at device screen, you should gaze at something that is at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Use good ergonomics when you are on the computer. Make sure that the screen is at eye level or slightly lower. Sit so you are at approximately 25 inches away from the screen. Make sure you have adequate lighting when you are on the computer. Screen filters are available to minimize glare.

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

You know that ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can burn your skin, but did you know they can also harm your eyes? Potential eye health problems that result from excessive UV sun exposure include cornea burns, cataracts, and macular degeneration. You may even develop skin cancer on the eyelids. Always wear sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB ray when you are outside, even on cloudy days. Effective sunglasses do not have to be expensive. Read the label to see the level of protection against UV exposure that they offer. Remember that certain things reflect UV rays including concrete, sand, snow, and water. You can also rely on wide-brimmed hats and umbrellas to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Guard Your Eyes at Work and at Home

Eye injuries are common at home and on the job. Every day in the U.S., approximately 2,000 people injure their eyes at work and require medical treatment. Experts estimate that more than 90% of eye injuries may be prevented if people wore adequate eye protection. Wear safety glasses when you are working on projects at work or at home that may send debris airborne and into your eyes. Wear protective glasses or goggles when playing sports that put your eyes at risk like lacrosse, baseball, softball, basketball, and racket sports. Polycarbonate lenses offer maximum protection because they are more resistant to impact than other materials.

Tend to Your Eyes

Do not suffer if you have eye problem. It you suffer from red, itchy eyes, reach for antihistamines or soothing eyedrops. Apply cold compresses over your eyes to reduce symptoms. Remove dust or dirt from your eyes by rinsing them with clean water or a saline solution formulated for the eyes. See your ophthalmologist right away if you develop potentially serious problems like eye pain, swelling, secretions, or unusual sensitivity to light. If you develop vision problems like flashes of light, dark floating spots, partial vision loss, blindness, or other problems with your eyesight, see your eye doctor right away.