TOP TEN TIPS FOR HEALTHY EYES

1. Get a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam
Even if you think your vision is fine, only a comprehensive dilated eye exam can confirm that your eyes are truly healthy. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration, often show no early warning signs. During this exam, your eye care professional places drops in your eyes to widen the pupils, allowing a clear view of the back of your eyes. The eye is the only place in the body where the arteries and veins can be seen at work. This helps detect signs of damage to the eye or systemic diseases such as high blood pressure before they cause health problems or vision loss.

2. Know Your Family Eye Health History
Ask your family about any eye conditions they’ve had. Many eye diseases are hereditary, and knowing your family history helps your doctor identify if you’re at higher risk and need more frequent monitoring.

3. Eat Well for Good Vision
Carrots are great — but they’re not the only food that supports healthy eyes. Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens. Also, include fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon, tuna and halibut) in your diet to support overall eye health.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes and other conditions that may lead to vision problems, such as diabetic eye disease and glaucoma. If you’re struggling with your weight, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to manage it.

5. Protect Your Eyes
Always wear protective eyewear when playing sports, working with power tools or doing household tasks that could injure your eyes. Choose safety glasses or goggles made of polycarbonate, a material that’s ten times stronger than regular plastic.

6. Don’t Smoke
Smoking harms your eyes just as it harms your body. It increases your risk of macular degeneration, cataracts and optic nerve damage, which can all lead to vision loss. If you smoke, quitting will immediately start benefiting your eyes.

7. Wear Sunglasses Year-Round
Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory, they protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Choose lenses that block 99–100% of both UVA and UVB radiation for maximum protection.

8. Give Your Eyes a Break
If you spend long hours at a computer or focused on near tasks, remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple habit helps prevent eye strain and dryness.

9. Keep Contacts and Hands Clean
Always wash your hands before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye care provider’s instructions for cleaning, disinfecting and replacing your lenses to avoid infection.

10. Practice Workplace Eye Safety
If your job requires eye protection, wear the appropriate safety eyewear at all times and encourage coworkers to do the same. A safe workplace helps everyone protect their vision.