Despite the obvious importance of eyesight, many of us take it for granted. However, blindness and vision impairment are no small matter.Here are 9 tips that may help you protect and take care of your most important sense, your eye sight.

9 tips of Eye-protection

1. The best way to protect your sight is to have your eyes examined regularly

  • Most eye examination consultations are covered by Medicare.
  • There are many diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy that can be present in your eyes even if you are living a normal life.
  • Checking your eyes regularly can help catch these conditions earlier and then they may be able to be treated more successfully.
  • Eye conditions can be more prevalent when there is a family history, or you are diabetic, a smoker or overweight.

2. Quit smoking for your eyes

  • Smoking is thought to be a major contributor to various eye conditions resulting in vision loss.

3. Get healthy

  • Have foods that are high in nutrients and anti-oxidants and not those which are high in fat.
  • Exercise regularly.

4. Protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation

  • Wear sunglasses and hats to protect your eyes against UV radiation.
  • UV radiation can reflect from snow, water, sand and the pavement.
  • UV radiation is thought to contribute to macular degeneration and cataracts.

5. Consider vitamin supplements

  • If you are at risk of macular degeneration, talk to your optometrist or medical practitioner about high dose antioxidant vitamin supplements.

6. Prevent diabetes

  • If you are at risk of developing diabetes, talk to your doctor about ways of preventing the disease.

7. Manage your diabetes (if you already have it)

  • Make sure you control your diabetes and blood pressure, lipid, sugar and fat levels as well. Increases in these may lead to diabetic retinopathy.

8. Reduce alcohol intake

  • Quit alcohol or lower the consumption as it might cause cataract and other health issues.

9. Avoid Eyestrain and Fatigue

  • Reduce glare by changing the monitor’s angle away from a direct light source.
  • Avoid sitting too close to the monitor, as looking at something closely strains the eyes more.
  • Set the background lighting so it’s no more than 10 times brighter than the screen; this contrast problem, often caused by a relatively dark screen in a bright room, is a frequently overlooked cause of eyestrain.
  • Frequently rest the muscles of your eyes by focusing on a distant object; use the 20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, gaze at a distant object for 20 seconds.