We all want our eyes to stay sharp and healthy for as long as possible. While spinach smoothies alone won’t replace glasses (sorry, Popeye), good habits really do make a difference.
Simple, consistent habits are a powerful way to support your long-term vision and overall wellness. These practical tips, combined with comprehensive eye exams, can help you care for your eyes every day.
Eat the Rainbow
What you eat plays a part in your overall health, including your vision. The food on your plate contains nutrients that help support eye function and can contribute to your long-term health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats gives your eyes the building blocks they need.
What Foods Support Eye Health?
You can find many eye-friendly nutrients in your local grocery store. Adding a variety of colourful foods to your meals is a great place to start. While many people believe that carrots are the ultimate eye food, a balanced diet is more important for maintaining good vision. Consider incorporating some of these options into your diet:
- Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
- Oily fish like salmon and tuna, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids
- Fruits rich in Vitamin C, such as oranges
- Non-meat protein sources like eggs and nuts
Vitamins & Minerals for Your Vision
Specific vitamins and minerals are known for their role in eye health. These nutrients help protect your eyes from environmental stress and support different parts of your visual system. They work together to help keep your vision clear:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C and Vitamin E
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fun fact: Frogs actually use their eyes to help them swallow food. Imagine if you had to push down your sandwich with a blink.
Save This Eye Healthy Recipe!
Adopt Habits for Healthy Vision
Simple changes to your daily routine can make a difference in how your eyes feel and function. These habits often focus on your overall wellness, which is directly connected to your eye health. When you take care of your body, you also take care of your eyes.
Move Your Body Regularly
Exercise isn’t just good for your heart—it improves circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your eyes. Even a brisk walk around Nose Creek Park counts.
Kick the Smoke Habit
Smoking can harm almost every part of your body, including your vision. Quitting (or avoiding secondhand smoke) helps protect against serious eye disease.
Wash Those Hands
We know kids hear this all the time, but it matters for grown-ups too! Clean hands help prevent eye infections, especially if you wear contact lenses.
Protect Your Eyes from the Environment
Your surroundings can create challenges for your eyes. From digital screens to the sun’s rays, it’s important to shield your vision from potential harm. A few protective measures can go a long way.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
Screens make our eyes work overtime. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Parents: turn this into a family challenge: see who remembers first during movie night or homework time.
Rock Your Sunglasses
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes over time. Choose sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation to protect against the effects of UV on your eyes. Make it a habit to wear them whenever you’re outside, even on cloudy days.
Use Protective Eyewear
For activities like sports, home repairs, or yard work, safety glasses can help prevent serious eye injuries. Debris, chemicals, and other hazards can cause damage to your eyes. Safety glasses might not be glamorous, but they’re a lot cooler than an eye injury.
Know What Eye Exercises Can Do
We hear this one a lot: Can eye yoga or exercises fix my vision? Short answer: not if you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. That’s about eye shape, not muscle strength.
But in some cases, like focusing issues, concussions, or eye alignment, vision therapy (prescribed by an optometrist) can help retrain how your eyes and brain work together.
Fun fact: Owls can’t roll their eyes at all—their sockets are fixed! That’s why they turn their heads like tiny, feathered exorcists.
Don’t Skip Professional Care
While natural habits support your vision, they don’t replace the care of an optometrist. Regular exams are a key part of maintaining your eye health for years to come. Professional guidance helps you stay on top of any changes in your vision.
Know Your Health History
You should share your family’s eye health history with your eye doctor. Certain conditions can be hereditary, and this information helps your doctor understand your personal risk factors. It allows for a more complete picture of your eye health.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough health check that allows a professional to check for vision changes and look for early signs of eye conditions. Your eye doctor in Airdrie can recommend a schedule that is right for you based on your age and health.
Get Personalized Eye Care Advice
Good food, good habits, and good care—that’s the recipe for happy eyes. Whether you’re chasing kids at the playground or enjoying a walk downtown, we want you to enjoy it all with healthy vision.
At Airdrie Family Eye Doctors, we believe in empowering our community with knowledge and personalized care. If you have questions or are ready to schedule your next exam, contact our team today. We look forward to helping you.
