It's easy to take your eye health for granted until you experience problems with your vision. The optometrist professionals in Victoria, BC of the Victoria Optometric Association make it their mission to educate people about the importance that diet and lifestyle can play in their eye health. Making a few simple changes can ensure that your vision stays strong and your eyes remain healthy as you get older. We've created a brief guide to help you get started.
Diet and Nutrition for Healthy Eyes
Proper diet and nutrition are the keys to good eye health. You'll want to limit your intake of sugar and saturated fats and start eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Your optometrist in Victoria will tell you to focus on eating a balanced diet with all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. In general, what you would eat for good overall health is good for your eye health as well. For boosting your eye health specifically, focus on eating foods that are high in protein, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Seafood is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids while lutein can be found in corn, egg yolk, and green, leafy vegetables.
What about carrots and the common belief that they are great for your eyes? Well, the truth is that eating carrots isn't going to help you see more clearly if you are near- or far-sighted - this is purely a myth. However, carrots are a great source of beta-Carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Low levels of vitamin A have been linked to the development of macular degeneration and cataracts, which can cause blindness. Other foods with high levels of beta-Carotene include squash, sweet potato, spinach, kale, collards, and dairy products.
Giving Your Eyes Enough Rest
If your eyes have been feeling strained and dry and you've been experiencing some blurriness in your vision, then it's likely that you haven't been giving your eyes enough rest. Our eyes are constantly working while we are awake, so getting a good amount of sleep is crucial to giving your overworked eye muscles a chance to relax.
You should also take frequent breaks at least every 20 minutes if you spend a lot of time on the computer, watching TV, or looking at your phone. When you're focused on a screen you tend to blink less, which can lead to eye strain and dryness.
Finding the Right Optometrist in Victoria
On top of the steps you can take at home to ensure good eye health, it is also important to go for a regular eye exam in Victoria administered by a professional optometrist. The role of an optometrist is to treat eye conditions, catch signs of eye conditions early, and prescribe corrective lenses if you need them. A comprehensive eye exam usually includes a vision test, a microscopic eye examination, and an overview of your family medical history.
You can find trusted optometrist professionals in Victoria, BC near you by taking a look at the member list of the Victoria Optometric Association.