The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been good for your eyesight. It’s not just the significant amount of time you spend staring at your digital devices. As millions of people avoid or postpone their doctor appointments, eye care was one of the priorities to be postponed. In fact, an estimate of 44 percent fewer visits to an ophthalmologist was recorded in 2020 compared to 2019. This is sadly a potential problem. Your eyes are built to last a long time, but they need care. So, as the global health crisis heads into its second year, you need to take some steps to protect your vision. Here are the top eye health tips for 2021:
 

Keep Moving

According to research, low to moderate exercise can reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by as much as 41 percent. Taking an additional 5000 steps every day can slow the vision loss rate by about 10 percent. Besides, regular exercise can help lower your chances of developing diseases that can harm the blood vessels that nourish eye health. These health problems include hypertension and diabetes.

 

Wear Sunglasses

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays aren’t only dangerous to your skin but to your eyes, as well. No matter the weather or season, never forget to wear sunglasses. They should reflect or filter out 100 percent of harmful UV light whenever you’re outdoors during the day. Whether you’re going out for a hike, heading to the beach, or only driving to and from work, use a pair with UV400 labels. Polarized lenses can offer protection to your eyes too. This feature reduces glare from reflection or horizontal light. It’s highly advisable to combine polarized lenses with UV-blocking technology for the best eye protection.

 

Use Safety Goggles

Always wear eye protection when you’re mowing your lawn or doing home improvement projects. It doesn’t take much for a wood splinter or shard of metal to lodge in your eye. You don’t want to cause an injury that could’ve been entirely avoidable.

 

Rest Your Eyes

Staring at your computer, tablet, or smartphone for long periods can result in digital eye strain. The discomfort can range from dry eyes or headaches to blurred vision. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break. It means that you need to view something from 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Taking frequent breaks will keep your eyes from getting strained from the prolonged use of digital devices.

 

Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly

If you haven’t seen your eye doctor in a while, now is the time to make an appointment. It would be best if you visited them at least once a year. This way, they can check on your vision and overall eye health. A comprehensive eye exam will help uncover any eye diseases early on. Early detection and intervention can keep conditions from causing irreversible damage to your eyes. Your eye doctor will also spot other potential health problems, such as diabetes and heart diseases.

 

Learn more about common eye problems and how to treat them, contact Insight Eyecare in Las Vegas, Nevada at (702) 718-7163 to schedule an appointment.