LOS ANGELES—Sparkling, bright and beautiful: healthy eyes are something that no one should ever take for granted. Eyes tell a thousand words. They evoke emotion, thoughts and wonders, and no matter what effort is put into the outside—makeup, tanned skin or freshly-styled hair—if we are ill, run down or unhealthy on the inside, it instantly reflects in our eyes. Eye health has become a primary concern in recent years thanks to research across the globe. Simple changes in lifestyle can make a world of difference to preserving your eyesight.

With the sun shining it can be all too easy to forget about wearing sunglasses and covering up from the sun’s harmful rays. Even on cloudy days eyes can be at risk. Excessive sunlight exposure has been linked to cataracts, corneal degeneration and other eye disorders. Good sunglasses make all the difference, so make sure you wear ones that offer sufficient UV protection. Wrap-around sunglasses are best as they cover the eyes completely and prevent any rays from reaching the eyes from the sides of the lens.

Lack of sleep can contribute to red, bloodshot and often sore eyes. Air conditioning and dusty atmospheres can also dry them out leaving a gritty, uncomfortable feeling that can affect your day. Keep eye drops handy to ensure eyes are kept moisturized. Spending hours on the computer can put a lot of strain on the eyes too, so be sure to take regular intervals away from the screen to relax the eye muscles. Wearing contact lenses over prolonged periods of time can put further stress on the eyes, so wear glasses whenever possible to rest, especially in the evenings when the eyes are tired.

Our dietary habits are mainly to blame for poor eyesight. Insufficient intake of the essential vitamins and minerals can be responsible for this. A healthy diet feeds the body from the inside, as does a decent night’s sleep. Sleeping allows the eyes to rest and recuperate, and eye masks are useful in blacking out the light to allow for a better quality of sleep. Depriving the body of vitamin A and beta carotene will affect the eyes, while low levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants leaves the eyes at greater risk to eye problems including retinal damage from the sun’s radiation. Eat plenty of fresh oily fish such as salmon and mackerel to keep omega3 levels high in the blood; these have been linked to good eye sight in several studies. One in particular that was published in the “Archives of Ophthalmology,” showed that those on a diet rich in omega-3 were 40 percent less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition resulting in severe loss of sight in older age, than those on a diet that did not include two to three portions of fresh oily fish a week.

There can be no price placed on having healthy eyes and maintaining good, clear sight. So keep your cool this summer and always invest in good quality sunglasses, eat plenty of fresh fish and greens, get lots of sleep and you will be one step closer to investing in a healthier and happier vision for the future.

Image courtesy of Leah Bisch

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