HEALTH

 

We use our eyes for practically everything, from doing homework to scoring goals. You’re stuck with one pair for the rest of your life, so it’s super important to protect them throughout the years. Read on for some easy tips to make sure your eyes are in tip-top shape!

Rock sunglasses outside
We all know that the sun’s rays can give you sunburn if you forget sunscreen at the beach, but they can also potentially hurt your eyes. Over a long period of too much sun exposure, your risk of getting cataracts (cloudy vision) or macular degeneration can go up—yikes! But it’s an easy fix: Grab a pair of sunglasses and drop them into your backpack or purse, and they’ll be right there when you need them! Just make sure that they protect against 99 or 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Another reason to rock a cool pair of shades? They can prevent or slow down the formation of wrinkles as you get older.

Limit phone and computer use
It’s fun to spend time watching funny videos, browsing Insta or catching up on your fave TV show, but staring at a screen for too long can put a strain on your eyes. Try other ways to busy yourself—visit a park with your friends, play with your siblings, bake a cake or learn to build something. Your eyes will thank you for the break. And when you do use the computer or your phone, it’s good to keep in mind the 20-20-20 rule: After 20 minutes of screen-time, look at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.

Visit the eye doctor
Have any worries about your eye health or just want to make sure everything’s all good? Mayo Clinic recommends that you get your vision checked every one or two years, although if you already wear glasses or contacts, you should follow your eye doctor’s recommended check-ins.

Eat carrots
Your friend's rabbit has it right—eating carrots won’t make your vision sharper, exactly, but it can boost your night vision and decrease your risk of cataracts. Foods like salmon, walnuts, eggs, avocadoes, leafy greens, and berries can also help keep your eyes sparkling and healthy. In general, a well-balanced diet is a must.

Stay protected
Goggles during science labs? Check. Helmets for sports like lacrosse? Definitely. Safety glasses when working with power tools? Essential. If something happens and you get injured, even if it’s minor, have an eye doctor check it out to help you heal and make sure it doesn’t threaten your future health.

What do you do to protect your eyes? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Warby Parker.

by Grace Zhou | 2/28/2018