For people who had good eyesight as a child and young adult, the point where they start to need glasses for reading or driving is often seen as a sign that they’re ‘getting old’. It’s completely normal for our eyes to deteriorate slightly as we age, but looking after our eyes throughout our life can help to reduce or slow down this level of deterioration, as well as helping to prevent more serious conditions such as glaucoma.

Let’s look at some simple ways to protect your eyes and keep them in good condition.

Get your eyes tested regularly

You should get your eyes tested at least every two years to check for any health problems or changes in prescription. If you notice any problems with your eyes in between check-ups, then see an optometrist earlier to have this checked out.

Proper sun protection

The sun can do a lot of damage to our eyes as well as our skin. Always avoid looking directly into the sun as this can seriously damage the eyes and increase the risk of developing cataracts. You should try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its brightest, and wear sunglasses or a hat when you are out in the sun.

Watch what you eat

Your diet affects your health in a lot of ways, and this includes your eyesight. A diet that’s filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds and nuts, legumes, and oily fish is good for your eye health. Staying hydrated is also important, so make sure you drink enough water. In addition, diabetes increases your risk of problems such as sight loss, so maintaining a healthy weight can help to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Limit smoking and drinking

Excessive alcohol intake and smoking can also cause increased deterioration in eye health. Both of these factors increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, which causes vision impairment and can lead to sight loss.

Don’t strain your eyes

We spend a lot more time staring at screens than we did a few decades ago, and this can put a lot of strain on our eyes. It’s important to take regular breaks from screens and to make sure the lighting is right when you are using a computer or smartphone. If you need glasses or contact lenses, then wearing these when you should and making sure your prescription is up-to-date will also help to prevent you from straining your eyes.

At Brookstone of Clemmons, we have an in-house physician and we provide complimentary transportation to appointments such as eye check-ups, helping you to look after your eyes and your overall health. Get in touch to find out more about the facilities and services at Brookstone of Clemmons.