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I was living on 5 hours of sleep that week, waking up at half past dark with my computer still open after failing at burning the midnight oil. Suffice it to say, I was exhausted, and even the particulars of removing my eye makeup or taking my contact lenses off were put on the back burner. When I woke up that morning, eyes a fiery shade of red and irritated from sleep deprivation and over-wearing my contact lenses, I knew that I had to be more vigilant about keeping my eyes healthy.
I’ve worn glasses since I was a child and made the switch to contact lenses as soon as my parents deemed me responsible. Eye health was something that my mother modeled and instilled within me, which is why I’ve managed to avoid any major complications. But despite how heavily reliant we are on our vision for every facet of our lives, it is easy to neglect even the basics of routine eye exams and proper hygiene, particularly if we aren’t experiencing any changes in vision or eye discomfort.
As a parent, I strive to model healthy habits for my children and vision is part of our overall wellness routine. If you’ve yet to schedule an eye exam for your child (or yourself) or you’re not sure where to begin, here are 7 Ways To Protect Your Vision.
- Schedule an Eye Exam. Did you know that children should have their first eye exam within the first year of life? Some vision problems, if not detected early, can result in permanent vision changes. And while you’re scheduling your child’s eye exam, be sure to visit your eye doctor every year, even if your vision is 20/20 to screen for age-related changes including cataracts and glaucoma.
- Don’t Forget Your Medical History. A doctor once told me that he could tell me much about my overall health, simply by examining my eyes. Diabetes and hypertension, for example, can be detected with a detailed vision exam. Remember to share your family’s medical history including vision conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. It is also worth sharing you and your family’s sports and leisure activities to determine if any preventive actions are warranted to protect vision.
- Give Your Eyes a Break. We live in a technology-driven age and it isn’t uncommon to spend 6-8 hours in front of a computer screen. Use the 20-20-20 rule to break the strain on your eyes: every 20 minutes look 20 feet away or more for at least 20 seconds. Remember to teach your kids to take regular screen breaks.
- Be Vigilant About Contact Lens Wear. Contact lenses can improve the quality of life for someone with impaired vision. However, if not cared for properly, they can cause damage to the eye. Practice meticulous hygiene including hand-washing and proper disinfecting according to the type of lens you wear. Also remember to change your contact lens case and contact lenses, as prescribed. Unless your contact lenses are extended wear lenses, avoid sleeping or napping with them to prevent the risk of infections that could lead to vision loss.
- Take Off Your Eye Makeup. Eye makeup is an irritant that can make its way into your eye when it isn’t removed, so be sure to remove it nightly. Remember to replace mascara, eyeliner pencils and brushes regularly to prevent eye infections.
- Don Those Shades…Even in the Winter. It is easy to forget that our eyes are exposed to UV light even on cloudy days. Protection from the sun (for both adults and children) is key to preventing UV related diseases and cancers so remember to keep a pair of shades in-hand at all times.
- Don’t Underestimate the Importance of a Healthy Diet. Consuming a diet rich in dark leafy greens, dark berries and omega-3s can help protect against age-related vision conditions. Best choices include spinach, kale, blueberries, blackberries, fish and walnuts.
If you’re frustrated with your glasses and contacts, you may be interested in checking into other options for vision correction. I encourage you to visit the American Refractive Surgery Council, an educational resource on vision correction surgeries such as LASIK.
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