Our eyes are our windows to the world, allowing us to see and experience the beauty around us. However, many of us don’t take our eye health seriously, not realizing that there are simple steps we can take to promote good eye health. As we age, our eyes become more vulnerable to different conditions affecting our vision. Therefore, developing good habits and practices is crucial to ensure our eyes remain healthy and functional. No one wishes to have subpar sight. Having to resort to glasses may seem like a small thing, but poor eye health can result in much worse situations than a pair of spectacles. Since so many eye conditions come on as people age, it’s important to do everything you can from a young age to ensure you have good eye health habits. 

Common Eye Conditions

There are several common eye conditions that people may experience at different stages of their lives. Some of these conditions include:

• Myopia - This is commonly called near-sightedness and is a condition that affects the ability to see objects out in the distance. It can occur if the eyeball is too long, or if the cornea proves to be too curved. Myopia is one of the most common eye conditions and is usually corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Hyperopia - Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a condition that affects the ability to see close objects. It occurs when the eyeball is too short, or the cornea is too flat. Hyperopia is corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Astigmatism - Astigmatism is a condition that occurs when the cornea is shaped irregularly, causing blurry vision at all distances. It can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Presbyopia - Presbyopia is a condition that affects the ability to see close objects clearly as we age. It occurs due to a loss of flexibility in the eye's lens. Presbyopia is corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Cataracts - Cataracts occur when the clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. They are more common in older adults and can be corrected with surgery.

Actions to Promote Good Eye Health

A crucial thing we can do to maintain good eye health is to schedule regular eye exams. A doctor will detect eye conditions early, making them easier to treat and manage. Adults should have an eye exam at least once every two years, and those with existing eye conditions or risk factors should have exams more frequently. Children should have their first eye exam at six months, then at age three, and again before starting school.

We should protect our eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses when engaging in activities that pose a risk of eye injury, such as using power tools, playing sports, or doing home repairs. We should also protect our eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.

A healthy diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants can promote good eye health. Foods particularly beneficial for our eyes include leafy greens, oily fish, citrus fruits, and eggs. These foods contain a number of components essential for maintaining good eye health.

Many of us spend hours each day looking at computer, smartphone, or tablet screens. This can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and headaches. To prevent these issues, we should take regular breaks from screens and practice the 20-20-20 rule. This means that you should look away from any screen and focus on another object that's around 20 feet away for a timeline of 20 seconds. 

Smoking is harmful to our overall health, including our eye health. Smoking increases the risk of several eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome. Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of these conditions and improve overall eye health.

Good hygiene can help prevent eye infections, which can be painful and lead to long-term eye damage. We should always wash our hands before touching our eyes or handling contact lenses, avoid sharing makeup and cosmetics, and clean contact lenses properly.

Getting enough sleep is essential for our overall health and eye health. Lack of sleep can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and eye fatigue. Adults should aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night to maintain good eye health.

Good eye health starts with good habits and practices. We should take care of our eyes by scheduling regular eye exams, protecting our eyes, eating a healthy diet, taking breaks from screens, quitting smoking, maintaining good hygiene, and getting enough sleep. Incorporating these simple steps into our daily routine allows us to maintain good eye health and enjoy the gift of sight for years.