A lot of people assume that degrading eyesight is an inevitable part of aging. However, by living a healthy lifestyle, you can significantly reduce damage on our eyes and even improve your vision.
So what aspects of our lifestyle may be attributing to damaging our eyesight and what can we do to change it? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest factors which play a role in our vision.
Heavy Drinking
When you drink, alcohol weakens the muscles in your eyes. There’s a reason why things look blurry when you’re drunk. Drinking alcohol regularly over time will significantly affect your vision.
In addition to causing difficulty on focusing, drinking may also reduce your ability to differentiate contrasts.
Eating Vegetables
Remember when your parents used to tell you that eating carrots would help you see in dark, or something like that? While that may not be entirely true, eating vegetables can significantly improve your eye health.
Eating a balanced diet full of leafy greens and whole grains will reduce your chances of being overweight. What does this have to do with your eyesight you might ask? People who are obese are more likely to suffer from hypertension which can lead to permanent vision loss and eye disease.
So, the next time the waiter asks you if you’d like that with a side of salad or fries, have a good think about it.
Smoking
So you thought smoking was only bad for your lungs? Think again! Smoking isn’t good for any part of your body including your eyeballs.
Smoking has been related to glaucoma and even macular degeneration, also known as retina damage. So there you have it! One more reason to give up smoking!
Exercise
When you work out and get your heart rate up, your body has an increased oxygen supply. Your eyes need oxygen too, so this is a good thing! Exercise isn’t just about looking good or burning calories; it’s about practicing a healthy lifestyle which keeps your body in top working condition.
Screen Time
Once upon a time, all parents had to worry about was their children sitting too close to the television. Fast forward to modern days, and our faces are glued to our phones and tablets all day long.
Too much screen time can strain your eye muscles, and dry your eyes out. It’s advised to adjust brightness levels, use a warmer hue, and take frequent breaks throughout the day. Doing so will minimize the amount of damage done if you sit in front of a computer for most of the day.
Why not get a head start and stay on top of your eye health early on. It will be one less thing to worry about in your older age!