You rely heavily on your vision, so it is extremely important to ensure that you protect your eyes and ensure that they remain healthy. There are many steps that can help you to accomplish this task. Many people are aware of a few things they can do to protect their eyes, such as wear protective gear, but it is important to do everything you can to protect your vision. At Wolcott Optical, our experienced team is passionate about providing you with the various services to keep your eyes healthy over time.
Obtain Regular Eye Exams

While many people regularly see their general doctor, fewer are aware of how important it is to obtain regular eye exams. It is critical to do this in order to provide the appropriate protection for your vision. These regular eye exams will enable your optometrist to identify potential health issues that may be impacting your vision. These eye exams can ensure that you take the appropriate steps to care for your eyes and are aware of any potential issues that may otherwise impact your vision.
Know your Family History
Your family history is likely to have a much larger impact on the health of your eyes than you may think. Take some time to do your research and learn your family history when it comes to eye health. If your family has a history of vision issues, you may well be at bigger risk of developing these issues yourself. By learning your family history, you can help to take precautions to protect your eyes.
Eat Healthily
Not only are there many vitamins and nutrients that can improve your vision and the health of your eyes, but there are other reasons to ensure that you eat healthily. There are many potential issues that can arise from an unhealthy diet. For example, obesity often increases your risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes, when uncontrolled and allowed to escalate, can result in the loss of vision. Due to this, it is essential to be careful about what you eat and help to keep your eyes in good condition. This can both improve your overall health and minimize potential long-term problems.
Use Protective Eyewear
It is important to ensure that you wear protective eyewear whenever it becomes necessary. For example, many sports require the use of protective gear. It is critical to ensure that you use this eyewear in order to protect your vision. If you are ever uncertain what scenarios require the use of protective eyewear, you should consult with our experienced team. This can go a long way toward preventing issues and protecting your eyes.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, try to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start smoking in the first place. While this may not seem totally intuitive, it is important to note that smoking can have a substantial impact on the health of your eyes. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk of developing macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and cataracts. Any of these things can lead to blindness, which can be potentially devastating. When you quit smoking, you reduce the likelihood that these harmful diseases will develop.
Wear Sunglasses
UV rays can easily cause damage to the health of your eyes. Due to this, it is important to ensure that you wear sunglasses when your eyes would otherwise be exposed to the sun. When you take this precaution, you can minimize the likelihood that issues will occur with the health of your eyes. This also helps to ensure that you remain far more comfortable while you are outside.
Rest your Eyes
Many people spend their workdays staring at a computer screen. This can easily cause your eyes to become tired or strained. Ensure that you take small breaks to rest your eyes when you are looking at a computer screen. Many experts recommend that you follow what is known as the 20-20-20 rule. With this rule, for every 20 minutes that you look at a computer screen, you should take 20 seconds to fix your eyes on a spot that is 20 feet away. This helps them to refocus and rest, which can be beneficial when you protect your vision.
Protect your Eyes from Bacteria
Bacteria can be especially dangerous for your eyes. It is important to ensure that you take the steps to protect your eyes from potentially harmful bacteria. Take care to wash your hands before you put in nor take out your contact lenses. You also need to ensure that you take care of your contact lenses. Ensure that you keep them clean and disinfected as recommended by your optometrist. This can help to keep your eyes far healthier. You should also avoid wearing the contacts longer than recommended and ensure that they are replaced as necessary.
When you take the steps to protect your vision, you will be able to keep your eyes healthy and in good condition. If you need to schedule your regular eye appointment, we are happy to provide the services to meet your needs. To schedule your eye exam with us or to learn more about the best steps to take to protect your vision, contact us at Wolcott Optical for more information.