5 Tips to Protect Your Vision

You may not realize how amazing your vision truly is, but it is quite possibly one of the five senses that you use the most. Your sight helps you recognize friends and loved ones, enjoy the beauty of a landscape, and even perform your work. Since your vision is so important, protecting it is vital. These five tips will help you safeguard your vision.

1. Take Breaks While Looking at Screens

Most people spend a significant amount of time looking at screens both at home and on the job. Unfortunately, the blue light from electronic screens can cause eyestrain, leading to fatigue in the muscles that control your eye's ability to focus.

Protect your eyes by taking a quick break every 20 minutes. Pick something in the room 20 feet away, and focus on it for at least 20 seconds. You can remember this as the 20-20-20 rule.

2. Remove Contact Lenses That Cause Irritation

Contact lenses are great for anyone who can't wear glasses due to their job or lifestyle. However, remember that contact lenses are medical devices. Proper cleaning and treatment of your contacts will keep your eyes healthy. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses.

If your contacts ever begin to cause irritation, remove them immediately to check for damage. If you see a small hair or speck of dust, rinse your contact with saline before reinserting it. Discard scratched or ripped contacts immediately, since these can cause corneal abrasions.

3. Ensure You Wear the Right Prescription

While the wrong prescription won't cause any lasting damage, it can make you very uncomfortable and strain your eyes. A prescription that's too strong for you can give you a headache and make your vision blurry. Never wear someone else's glasses, and make sure you keep your own glasses up to date with your current prescription strength.

4. Protect Your Eyes From the Sun

Getting outdoors into the sunshine is good for you, as long as you take the proper precautions to protect your body from harmful ultraviolet rays. UV damage is cumulative, and it can cause eye problems over time, especially in people who have other risk factors. For instance, UVA rays can cause macular degeneration and cataracts.

Protect your eyes by staying out of the sun when it's at its most powerful, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the afternoon. Sunglasses can filter out harmful UV rays, so wear them whenever you're outdoors. See if your eye doctor offers both prescription and nonprescription sunglasses so you can enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities without damaging your eye health.

5. Visit Your Eye Doctor for Yearly Exams

Don't skip your annual eye exam. During your exam, your doctor will give you a vision test to check for changes to your prescription. They will also test your overall eye health. Routine eye exams help your doctor find certain problems early, like glaucoma and even diabetes.

At your eye exam, you'll have the chance to ask your doctor about any vision changes you've experienced. A full account of your symptoms can help your eye doctor diagnose you properly so they can treat any vision concerns. For instance, chronic dry eye may be because of an underlying medical condition that is treatable with medication.

Your eyes are one of your most valuable assets, so make an effort to keep them healthy. Follow these tips to make simple changes that will protect your eye health. When you're ready to purchase new sunglasses or fill a new eyeglass prescription, contact SouthPark Optical Center. We have a wide selection of frames available to suit any style preference.