Did you know it’s been estimated that up to three-quarters of blindness and vision loss cases could have either been prevented or treated prior? In fact, the three easiest ways to maintain optimal eye health are to adopt a healthy lifestyle, attend regular eye exams and protect your eyes from injury. Today, we’re sharing some additional tips to protect your vision.

1. Notes on night driving

According to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times higher after sundown as 90% of a driver's reaction depends on vision. Vision is severely limited at night, as is depth perception, peripheral vision, and color recognition.

Night driving calls for preparation. Clean windows, taillights, headlights, signal lights at least once a week. Avoid the glare of an oncoming vehicle’s high beams by watching the right edge of the road, using it as a guide to read the road. 

2. Block blue light

Researchers are learning that exposure to blue light, which radiates from sources like computers, smart phones and televisions with LED is detectable by the human eye and can adversely impact visual cells. In fact, this light, which can also be found in indoor lighting and in sunlight, plays a role in the incidence and severity of age-related eye health issues.

One way to ensure blue light protection is to keep your “internal sunglasses” operating at optimal levels. These sunglasses are made up of macular pigment that shields the photoreceptors within your eyes, to protect your central and peripheral vision. Macular pigment, made up of two nutrients called zeaxanthin and lutein, are much more effective at safeguarding these receptors when this pigment is dense. Zeaxanthin is found in foods like peppers and corn in small amounts, so taking an eye vitamin is often necessary to help the body enhance the density of macular pigment. 

3. Shield your eyes from the sunshine

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can play a role in the development of age-related eye health issues. 

Ensure the sunglasses you’re wearing have 100% UV protection. The best filters are found in the amber-orange range of commercial shades. Always wear sunglasses outside, especially in high-glare areas like when around snow or water.

4. Care for contacts

Contacts are a great way to ditch the eyeglasses but wearing your contacts when your eyes are irritated can turn a small problem into a big one. 

Be sure to always have a pair of glasses with your most recent prescription so that if you get any irritations or injuries, you can change over. Make sure to care for the lenses properly. This means washing your hands before handling contacts and using contact solution that isn’t expired. 

5. Say good-bye to eyestrain

Glare, poor lighting and long periods spent in front of computer screens, video screens, tablets and smart phones can cause eye fatigue, soreness and headaches. Any focused work means you’re not blinking as frequently as you need to.

Take a break from the activities involving prolonged staring. 

6. Gear up for projects

A staggering 4 out of 10 accidents that cause blindness actually happen at home. These injuries occur while working on do-it-yourself projects like cutting grass, trimming bushes or coming into contact with harsh chemicals from drain cleaners, fertilizers or pesticides.

Wear the appropriate eye protection while conducting repair jobs and working with chemicals at home.

7. Go with goggles

More than 40,000 people a year suffer from eye injuries while playing sports. Know that regular glasses don’t provide enough protection. Wearing proper safety goggles is a must while playing certain sports. 

8. Make-up your mind

Mascara and eye shadow may enhance your eyes but cosmetics, when used inappropriately, can easily harm your vision. For example, using eyeliner to line the inner part of your eye can block ducts thus causing infections. Don’t keep eye make-up for more than a few months.

Learn how nutrition can actually help protect and improve your vision here!