When it comes to your overall wellbeing and day-to-day life, your eyes are incredibly important. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly delicate. Without proper protection, your eyes risk permanent damage that could cause you discomfort, pain or even vision loss.
When it comes to vision health, preventative measures are key. While it is sometimes possible to implement regenerative solutions in order to heal and rejuvenate eyes, it’s still best to use precautionary measures to prevent vision problems before they have the chance to happen. To keep your eyes healthy and protected, consider implementing the following measures.
Wear Sunglasses
Exposure to the harmful UV rays present in sunlight may damage your cornea and increase your risk of macular degeneration. It may also cause photokeratitis, a painful eye condition akin to a sunburn on your eyeballs’ most sensitive parts.
Thankfully, preventing eye damage from harmful UV rays is relatively easy with the help of sunglasses, which should be worn even on cloudy days. When selecting sunglasses, be sure to shop for models that explicitly state they offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Steer clear of those billed only as “fashion eyewear,” as they may offer a tint but lack the protection to keep your eyes safe.
Limit Screen Time
Our eyes aren’t evolutionarily designed to cope with as much artificial light as they encounter in this modern era. On top of admitting high levels of blue light which may prove disruptive to your health, excessive screen time also strains the eyes and causes irritation.
While the short-term side effects of excessive screen time are more annoying than anything, it’s possible that the long-term effects are damaging and permanent. To protect your eyes and prevent strain, limit screen time as much as possible, and structure you use time with scheduled breaks.
Quit Smoking
Smoking contributes to a myriad of negative health consequences. One of them is an increased susceptibility to macular degeneration and other eye-related conditions such as cataracts, which impacts the eyes clarity and clouds the lens. The side effects of smoking are also known to cause damage to the optic nerves. To protect your vision health and overall wellbeing, it’s best to refrain from smoking. If you’ve already developed a habit, it’s time to move towards quitting.
Remove Contact Lenses at Night
Some contact lenses are designed especially for extended wear. However, those which do not specifically state they can be slept in should always be removed before bedtime. Extended wear of non-specialized contact lenses may cause the lens to tighten around the eyeball, creating tiny abrasions on the delicate cornea.
If done habitually, failing to remove your contact lenses at night will dramatically increase your risk of infection and abrasion. To stay safe and protected, follow the use guidelines for your contact lenses and replace them regularly to avoid damage.
Use Safety Eyewear
Your eyes are incredibly important but they’re also incredibly delicate. All it takes is one misguided object and you risk losing your vision forever. That’s why it’s essential to wear adequate safety eyewear when executing high-risk activities or participating in scenarios where the likelihood of flying parts or debris is likely. Applicable activities include sports (such as ice hockey, racquetball and lacrosse) as well as construction, woodwork and welding.
Schedule Regular Check-ups
When it comes to protecting your eyes, preventative care is key. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular check-ups with your eye doctor. While regular eye exams are helpful in gauging your vision health, they’re also essential in catching diseases like glaucoma, which may otherwise go untreated.
Which type of eye doctor you go to will be determined by your vision care needs. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists have specialized training in eye care. However, ophthalmologists are medical doctors who are certified to perform eye surgery while optometrists are not.
During your regular eye exam, you’ll take a vision test to assess your current quality of vision. You’ll also be tested for glaucoma through eye pressure and optic nerve tests.
Know Your Family’s Eye History
As with many medical conditions, a significant number of eye conditions are hereditary in nature. That’s why it’s important to know your family’s eye history. If you can, ask your parents or grandparents about your history with conditions like glaucoma, as a family history increases risk by four to nine times.
After learning your family’s eye history, share that valuable insight with your healthcare providers in order to enrich their understanding of your overall health. This can help your provider better understand your individual needs and risks.
Understand Eye Health
In addition to the previously mentioned measures, the best thing you can do for your eyes is to be educated about their wellbeing and up to date about cutting edge products like Regener-Eyes® which may promote eye health. Primarily, you’ll need to know what warning signs to watch for when it comes to damaging conditions.
Chronic dry eyes, for example, is one of the most common eye conditions. For those who suffer from it chronically, the condition isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous to long-term eye health. If left untreated, chronic eye dryness may result in permanent damage to your eyes. Products like Regener-Eyes®, however, seek to soothe the symptoms of dry eyes and may help stop damage before it occurs.
If your eyes are often dry, the best route is to seek treatment sooner rather than later. One of today’s most innovative solutions is Regener-Eyes®, a first-in-class biologic eye drop that utilizes the properties of regenerative medicine to work with the body to reduce inflammation, cushion and lubricate the eye.
While standard over the counter eye drops may provide temporary relief for mild cases, solutions like Regener-Eyes® are aimed at improving the eye.
When it comes to understanding eye health, know that dry eye conditions aren’t just uncomfortable—they’re dangerous. If you’re experiencing chronic dryness, act now rather than later. Reach out to your healthcare provider or inquire about Regener-Eyes®.
