You only get two eyes to last you a lifetime, so looking after this is vital. Your eyes can go through all sorts of changes during your life, with many eye conditions becoming more of a risk once you hit your 50s and 60s. But you can take steps to care for your eyes long before then, ensuring you keep them as healthy as possible. While you can’t necessarily do anything to prevent some eye problems, such as short-sightedness, you can still do a number of things to protect your vision and keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

Get Regular Eye Tests

Routine eye tests are a must for anyone, even if you don’t already need glasses or think that you need them. It’s better to catch any problems with your vision early so that they can be addressed, so you should have an eye exam with your optometrist every two years or so. If you notice any issues, such as blurry vision or headaches, don’t wait until your next scheduled test to have it checked out. Vision tests can even pick up on other health problems. You might be surprised by what your eyes can reveal about you!

Protect Your Eyes

Part of taking good care of your eyes is protecting them from damage. This means wearing sunglasses with UV protection, wearing a hat, and staying in the shade when it’s sunny outside. Of course, never look directly at the sun, even if you’re trying to get a glimpse of a rare solar eclipse! You should also protect your eyes when playing sports, swimming, or doing any other activities where you could be at risk of injury or irritation. And if you wear contact lenses, practice good hygiene to prevent infection and protect your eyes.

Make Smart Lifestyle Choices

Your lifestyle choices can affect the health of your eyes too. A healthy lifestyle helps you to keep your eyes and vision healthy. You should enjoy a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables so you get the vitamins and minerals that you need for healthy eyes. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are good for your vision too. A healthy diet helps you to maintain your weight too. Diabetes is a risk factor for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It’s also a good idea not to smoke, as this can increase the risk of some age-related eye conditions.

Know Your Family Medical History

Some eye conditions have a hereditary factor. If your family has a history of some eye diseases, this could increase your risk of developing them too. It’s a good idea to be aware of your family’s medical history in this area, and it’s also helpful to let your optometrist or ophthalmologist know this too. If you’re aware of any eye health conditions for which you might be at higher risk, you can watch out for them more carefully.

Look after your eyes and you can protect your vision as you get older. Good eye care will protect your eyes and help you spot problems early.