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9 tips to protect your eyesight

Boost your eye health with these smart lifestyle changes. 

Updated on October 25, 2024

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You rely on your vision to safely experience the world and communicate with others. That means keeping your eyes healthy—and preventing eye disease—is key to preserving your quality of life in the years to come.

With that in mind, consider these nine smart tips for protecting your eyes as you age.

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Learn about your family history

Remember those bifocals your grandfather wore? How about your aunt who had glaucoma? From poor vision to serious eye diseases, your family history says a lot about your eye health.

Ask your family members about their eye health history to learn how it may affect you. Find out if anyone has beenShow More

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Get comprehensive eye exams

Eye exams are the best way to turn your vision concerns into an actionable eye care plan. Even if your eyes feel fine, scheduling an appointment with an eye care professional is a wise idea. For example, certain eye diseases may not have symptoms until vision loss starts to set in. RegularShow More

healthy foods for your eyes
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Exercise and eat a healthy diet

Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is a smart way to boost your eye health. That's partly because many of these foods are packed with vitamin C, which helps protect the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Tuna, eggs, nuts, and beans are also packed withShow More

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Quit smoking

Studies show smoking harms your vision in addition to your overall health. It increases your risk for cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration, three eye diseases that can eventually lead to blindness. 

Your healthcare provider (HCP) can recommend ways to quit smoking that workShow More

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Wear sunglasses

Ultraviolet rays from the sun don't just damage your skin; they can harm your eyes at all hours of the day. In fact, when the sun is low on the horizon at sunrise and sunset, your eyes are exposed to twice the amount of UVB rays, which are considered more dangerous than UVA rays.

One solution: WearShow More

woman applying eye drops outdoors
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Treat dry eye

Dry eye is a condition that causes your eyes to appear red and feel itchy, gritty, and/or irritated. It happens more often with age, as you produce fewer tears. Fortunately, dry eye is treatable. To get the relief you need, consider using eye drops or running a portable humidifier when your indoorShow More

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Care for your contacts

Caring for your contact lenses correctly is essential to eye health. To keep your eyes safe and sound, make sure you follow your HCP's specific care instructions. Not doing so can result in painful eye conditions like corneal ulcers—and even vision loss.

Some questions to ask your HCP about properShow More

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Be careful with eye cosmetics

There's nothing wrong with putting on a little mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner. In general, eye cosmetics are safe as long as you use them appropriately.

It helps to be aware of potential problems, however. For one thing, bacteria can lurk in older cosmetic packages and you can transfer thoseShow More

man at computer having eye strain
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Beware of computer vision syndrome (CVS)

Computers are part of life. But computer vision syndrome (CVS) doesn't have to be. Eyestrain tied to the overuse of computers, CVS can cause irritation and blurry vision. It can also lead to aches and pains in your neck, shoulders, back, or head.

To help keep CVS at bay:

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

University of Utah Health. Tracking Your Family's Eye Health May be the Best Gift of All. December 12, 2019.
Optometrists.org. Your Genes and Eye Disease. Accessed October 25, 2024.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics. Reviewed February 14, 2024.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nutrition and Eye Health. Accessed October 25, 2024.
Zhang Q, Jiang Y, Deng C, Wang J. Effects and potential mechanisms of exercise and physical activity on eye health and ocular diseases. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Mar 22;11:1353624.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vision, Blindness, and Smoking. Reviewed October 12, 2023.
American Optometric Association. The heat is on: Ensure patients’ protective eyewear is, too. May 22, 2024.
Optometrists.org. 8 Top Natural Ways to Stop Dry Eyes. Accessed October 25, 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Dry eyes. September 23, 2022.
American Optometric Association. Contact Lens Care. Accessed October 25, 2024.
Optometrists.org. Using Eye Makeup Safely. Accessed October 25, 2024.
American Optometric Association. Computer vision syndrome. Accessed October 25, 2024.

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