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Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in General

You know that it’s important to take care of your body, but how much time do you spend thinking about how you can keep your eyes healthy? Bad habits like smoking, not wearing sunglasses, and skipping annual eye exams can add up over time and hurt your vision and your health.

The good news is that the same is true for positive habits. By developing small daily positive habits, you can protect the long-term health of your eyes. Here are five simple tips for keeping your eyes healthy:

1. Maintain a healthy dietAccording to a British study that was published in 2011, people who eat vegetables daily are at less risk of developing cataracts. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has also been shown to reduce your risk for developing common eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. You can read more about how maintaining a healthy diet can improve your eyesight here.
2. Take care of your contactsContact cases can be breeding grounds for bacteria and it is a mistake a moisten your contacts with anything other than contact solution. You should always wash your hands before handling your contacts, change out your contact case every couple months, and take out your contacts for naps or at bedtime.
3. Protect your eyes from the sunYou know the sun can be harmful to your skin but did you know it can be harmful to your eyes as well? UV rays can cause your vision to deteriorate and can cause cataracts and other eye diseases. Look for sunglasses that will block 99 percent of the sun’s UV rays and it is a good idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat as well.
4. Don’t spend too much time looking at screensThis can be a challenge if you are someone who spends most of their workday looking at a computer. But the glare of a computer screen or tablet can cause headaches, eyestrain, blurry vision, or trouble refocusing. Make sure you keep your computer screen at least an arm’s length away from your eyes and take regular breaks about every 20 minutes to blink and let your eyes rest for a moment.
5. Have regular comprehensive vision exams

All adults should get yearly comprehensive vision exams, even if you don’t wear corrective eyewear. During your comprehensive vision exam, your doctor will check the health of your eyes and look for symptoms of common eye diseases. Eye exams can also be a good way to measure your overall health. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.