Discover 10 easy ways you can protect your eyes from unnecessary damage.
Take care of your eyes and reduce the risk of injury or eye conditions that are common in older age. Here are 10 tips for healthy eyes.
1. Get regular eye checks
Regular eye checks can help detect eye problems early and prevent vision loss. Your eyes can also reveal a lot about your general health. Optometrists are trained health professionals who assess the health of your eyes and prescribe corrective lenses if needed.
Medicare subsidises the cost of an eye check done by an optometrist of your choice:
- Once every 3 years for people under 65
- Once every year for people 65+
2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can help you look after your eyes. This includes:
- A balanced diet
- Regular physical activity
- Not smoking
The diet that's good for your heart and the rest of your body will also help your eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology provides research-based tips about eating for your eye health.
3. Get quality sleep
Sleep supports the healing and recovery of your eyes. It is crucial after minor injuries or irritation.
Sleep is also important for eye-muscle relaxation after periods of eye strain.
And sleep repairs the tear film coating on your eyes. Your tear film has oily, watery, and mucus layers. These three layers work together to keep your eyes comfortably moist. Dry eye disease can occur if there’s a problem with any of these layers.
4. Wash your hands before touching your eyes
Your hands touch a variety of surfaces and objects throughout the day. Some of these may harbor harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. If you touch your eyes with unwashed hands, you can transfer these germs to the sensitive mucous membranes of your eyes, increasing the risk of infection.
If you use contact lenses, this is even more important. Even if the germs on your hands don't start an infection, they can still cause irritation. This can lead to discomfort, redness, and other eye-related problems.
