Are you worried about your eyesight? Perhaps in light of recent events, you have a reason to be concerned. No matter where you are in life, proper eye care is essential. Follow along so that you can learn some great advice on how to properly care for your eyes as you get older.

Make sure you always have adequate lighting when you work or read. Your eyes will be straining all the time if you’re trying to see things without sufficient illumination in the room. Over time, this can cause serious damage. Increase your wattage or the number of lighting fixtures in any given room to solve the problem.

Protect your vision through regular consumption of foods with omega3s. It is a great idea to make use of foods that contain these acids. Halibut, green, leafy vegetables, and salmon are all good choices. Try to eat at least a serving each day.

When you are working on a project that requires cutting wood or other materials, be sure to wear a pair of goggles. As you are cutting, particles are flying into the air. If your eyes are not protected by goggles, a piece of material can fly in and cause irritation or damage to your eyes.

Include as many fruits and vegetables as possible in your diet; especially carrots and sweet potatoes which provide beta carotene (Vitamin A). Salmon is high in Omega 3’s and broccoli, brussels sprouts and bell peppers are good sources of Vitamin C. These anti oxidants can help prevent macular degeneration and blindness.

Don’t smoke. Along with other things, smoking can really damage your eyes. It can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Not only that, but it is harmful in other ways to other areas of your body. If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, keep trying, it will be worth it when you are successful.

Position your computer monitor at the ideal distance from your eyes. If your monitor is positioned too high or too close, it can cause you eye strain. Eyes that are stressed are prone to develop more problems down the road. The computer screen should be positioned at eye level and at least at an arm’s distance.

Be sure to not only get your vision checked every year, but have a comprehensive exam. This often includes other tests which peer inside the eye to check for conditions such as glaucoma or even diabetes. The sooner you catch these issues, the easier it will be to treat them.

Make sure to have your eyes looked at regularly. Many people, particularly if they do not wear glasses or contacts, have not been to the eye doctor in years. You should go at least once in your 20s and at least twice in your 30s to make sure everything is on track. Once you hit forty, try and visit the eye doctor every three years or so. And, when you reach age 65, you should go every other year.

It is wise to ensure that any cosmetics that may end up in contact with the eyes are thrown out every 60 days. Just like your contacts, over time your makeup can become a breeding ground for bacteria. After using the same makeup for a while, you end up just brushing bacteria all over your eyes. This will damage your eyes and the surrounding tissue.

Practice good makeup hygiene. Makeup worn on and around the eyes, particularly mascara, can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If you want to ensure that your eyes stay clear and free from infection, take a few precautions. Mascara should be tossed after three months. In addition, avoid putting liner inside of the eyelash. This can block the oil glands necessary to keep your eyes protected.

Keep some form of artificial tear drops around. A lot of eye strain is related to improperly lubricated eyes. By using drops, you can increase the thickness and amount of lubrication your eyes need. If you are sensitive to preservatives, look for a brand that is preservative-free to avoid creating more symptoms.

When you sleep, if your eyes feel irritated or dry, apply an eye ointment. This can keep your eyes lubricated, and the ointment isn’t water-based. However, they can also blurriness, so use them after you go to bed.

Your contact lenses should be treated with proper care. Certain studies have shown that many people do not adequately take good care of their contact lenses. Of course this situation can cause an infection as well as vision loss and eye irritation. Use sterile saline solution, not tap water or saliva, for moistening lenses. The mouth is a place where bacteria can grow rapidly. Plus, rest your eyes from wearing contacts and wear your glasses once a week.

No doubt your body is going to fall apart as it ages. Therefore, it is of the essence that you take necessary steps to ensure you take good care of your body, eyes included. The information presented to you should be sufficient for you to get a good start with proper eye care.

What You Didn’t Know About Eye Care was originally published on Spring