SPF for the Eyes: Sunglasses don’t just prevent crows’ feet from squinting; they also block harmful ultraviolet and other rays than can play a role in the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. Fair-skinned caucasians are at the greatest risk for the latter. Be sure your sunglasses have 100 percent UV protection. You should always wear sunglasses when outside (and not just in the summer) but especially in high glare areas. A wide-brimmed hat is great for blocking rays—even if it counteracts the cool of your aviators.
Eye Protection: Sunglasses aren’t the only protective eyewear you should put on. Obviously anyone working around construction, manufacturing—any job with machinery and flying particles—must wear eye protection. But even when you’re working around the house, you should guard your eyes. Even while hanging a picture, plaster or a nail can fly into your eye. Any hardware store sells inexpensive clear plastic eye protection.
Contact Care: Contacts are a great tool, but they come with responsibility. Be sure to have a pair of glasses with a recent prescription so that if you get any irritation you can change over. Wearing your contacts when your eyes are irritated can turn a simple problem (irritation) into a significant problem (a corneal ulcer). Make sure you care for the lenses properly. Make sure your solutions aren’t expired, keep your contacts clean—and keep them out of your mouth.
Eye Candy: Are carrots really good for your eyes? Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which the retina needs but we’re not in danger of having vitamin A deficiencies. Green leafy veggies like kale, collard and mustard greens, and spinach are good for the eyes because they contain lutein, which studies indicate can reverse symptoms of macular degeneration. Getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flax can help prevent dry eyes. Avoid omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6s are in vegetable oils.
Eye Lube: As we age, we experience drier eye symptoms. The biggest reason people have dry eyes is that the tear film doesn’t have the right consistency of water, mucus and oil. The oil part of your tears comes from little glands at the margin of your eyelids. As you blink, oil is supposed to coat the eyes but if this coating is insufficient, the tear film evaporates and eyes feel dry. This triggers reflex tearing, which is why your eyes water when they get dry and irritated. Omega-3 helps with this. Also, heat and air conditioning can cause dry eyes, especially if you sit near a vent or fan unit. Make sure that the vent in your car isn’t blowing toward your face.
Quit Smoking: Need another reason to quit smoking? You got it: Smoking increases the risk and accelerates the development of cataracts, macular degeneration and optic nerve damage. You should rather be afraid of losing your vision than lung cancer.
Eye Strain: Any focused work means you don’t blink as frequently. And all the computer work and internet surfing can take a toll. It’s always good to take a break from activities which involve prolonged staring. And artificial tears can help reduce eye irritation, lubricating the eyes to help you work longer.
Talk to Your Family: Eye problems are often hereditary. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma or another eye condition, share that information with your immediate and extended family. The sooner people are diagnosed, the more that can be done to treat and prevent further damage.
Stay Healthy: We’ve already seen how eating right (veggies over processed foods) helps with eye health. Exercise increases circulation, which can lower pressure within the eyes, which helps with those who have glaucoma. Getting regular overall physicals may lead to early detection of diseases like diabetes or other systemic conditions that can lead to eye problems. And most important, if something bothers you or feels wrong, get it checked out. You get your car oil checked regularly, so get your eyes checked regularly.
