Dos and Don’ts of Eye Care

Caring for your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated. Surprisingly, many patients are unsure of how to properly take care of their eyes to ensure long-term protection and good vision. Here are just some of the basic dos and don’ts to optimally care for your eyes:

Dos for Your Eyes

Eat a Healthy Diet – A diet rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and other vital nutrients is important to maintain eye health. Vitamin A and beta-carotene in carrots are particularly good for your eyes. Also, seasonal vegetables, especially dark green leafy veggies such as spinach, broccoli and fruits such as watermelon are good for your eyes. These foods contain lutein, an antioxidant that protects the eyes from damage and boosts eye health. Also, eat fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Wear Sunglasses – Wear sunglasses whenever you are outside to protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially during peak UV hours (10 am–4 pm). Even on a cloudy day, you should always wear high-quality sunglasses when you go outdoors.

Give Your Eyes a Break – Follow the 20-20-20 rule when working long hours in front of the computer. For every 20 minutes of screen time, focus on an object that’s at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.

Have Your Eyes Examined – This is a must-do. Even if your vision is fine, visit your eye doctor regularly. They can identify any signs/early symptoms of potentially dangerous vision-related and other health conditions.

Don’ts for Your Eyes

Work in Poor Light – Reading or doing any other activity under poor lighting conditions can strain your eyes. This can result in a headache, pain in the eyes and other issues.

Smoke – Smoking tobacco increases your risk of eye issues such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, cataracts and other eye problems.

Over Wear Contact Lenses – Avoid overnight/extended use of contact lenses, it can lead to eye complications. Over wearing contacts increases your risk of eye infection and affects your overall eye health.

When it comes to taking care of your eyes, it’s important to choose professional and quality care. To schedule an exam with Dr. Pennachio in Eustis, contact Pennachio Eye today by calling 352-227-1999 or visiting pennachioeye.com.