Many people today take for granted the ability to see out of their eyes that they don’t take good care of them until something goes wrong. Don’t let that happen to you! Proper eye care is very important, and the following article offers great information on how to go about taking care of your eyes so they work well for your entire life.
When selecting an eye care professional, do not skimp when it comes to doing your homework on each prospective doctor’s qualifications. Check their educational background, certifications and licensure to ensure that everything is as represented. Doing these things will help you feel confident when it comes to entrusting the health of your eyes to someone new.
Though you may know that during the summer it is a good idea to wear sunglasses, you may not know that it is just as important in the winter. Snow reflects light. Regardless of the temperature, the rays will still be there.
If you regularly wear contacts, keep a pair of backup prescription eye glasses. When experiencing irritation in the eye, you should remove the contact and wear a pair of prescription eye glasses. Keeping a contact lens in your eye while the eye is irritated can turn this seemingly small problem into something much larger, such as corneal ulcer.
Avoid looking at your computer screen for too long. Take a break every half hour to give your eyes a rest from the strain. Staring at your computer can cause dry eye because you do not blink as often, so make an effort to blink every 30 seconds while you are at your computer.
Staring at the computer often can damage the lining of your eyes. Blink often to keep your eyes from drying out. It is also important to cut back on screen glare. An anti-glare screen will help you with this. You want to position your computer screen so that the monitor’s top is level with your eyes. You need to just barely be looking down at your screen.
Position your computer monitor at the ideal distance from your eyes. If your monitor is positioned too high or too close, it can cause you eye strain. Eyes that are stressed are prone to develop more problems down the road. The computer screen should be positioned at eye level and at least at an arm’s distance.
It is important for you to get your eyes checked regularly. This is especially important when you begin to age. This is because as you age, you are more prone to serious eye conditions. Monitoring them closely will allow your eyecare professional to catch any problems early.
Make sure you have good light when you are reading, especially if the book you are reading has fine print. Although your eyes will not be damaged by reading in dim light, the eye strain it causes will make your eyes feel tired. You should take a break occasionally while reading, especially if your eyes begin to feel tired.
Keep in mind that having eye issues may be inevitable for some. Many eye conditions are hereditary. You can take great care of your eyes and still have major issues. If you have family member with eye problems, you may want to talk to them about which issues run in the family. You can bring up these conditions to your optometrist so that they can watch for the early signs.
People who have allergies often have red and itchy eyes. Be careful to avoid rubbing them because that will only make the problem worse. If you have seasonal allergies you can take medication to prevent the symptoms, and you can also use allergen-reducing eye drops. Make sure to follow the directions for the eye drops to avoid future problems.
When reading or using a computer, incorporate occasional eye exercises. This is as simple as looking away from your target and blinking rapidly. Then, close your eyes and roll them in both a counter-clockwise and clockwise direction. Make sure to breathe deeply while doing so to help bring more oxygen to the capillaries of the eyes.
If you have eyelids that puff out, cucumber slices can help reduce the puffiness. Cut cold cucumbers into 1/4 inch slices and place on your eyelids while you relax with your eyes closed for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a green teabag you’ve soaked in cool water to reduce puffiness.
When you are outdoors, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses can protect your eyes by blocking harmful rays from the sun. These rays, called ultraviolet rays, can contribute to cataracts as well as macular degeneration. Blocking the rays with sunglasses allows you to protect your eyes while also allowing you to look fashionable.
Practice good makeup hygiene. Makeup worn on and around the eyes, particularly mascara, can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If you want to ensure that your eyes stay clear and free from infection, take a few precautions. Mascara should be tossed after three months. In addition, avoid putting liner inside of the eyelash. This can block the oil glands necessary to keep your eyes protected.
Keep some form of artificial tear drops around. A lot of eye strain is related to improperly lubricated eyes. By using drops, you can increase the thickness and amount of lubrication your eyes need. If you are sensitive to preservatives, look for a brand that is preservative-free to avoid creating more symptoms.
As you can clearly see from the above article, eye care is a very important part of everyone’s life. Without good eyesight, there is so much stuff that will end up missing. All you have to do is follow the above tips and strategies to maintaining your eyes, and they should be in good shape for many years to come.