Carrots aren’t the only foods that can improve your eyesight. There are many other things you can do to naturally boost your vision. While the jury’s still out on whether or not these actions can really make a difference, early research shows a positive relationship between certain practices and good vision. So, it can’t hurt to try these tips below. If even one helps improve your eyesight without the use of medication or surgery, it will be worth it!
Get Enough Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are important for all diets, but certain nutrients are linked to good vision. Specifically, Vitamin A, C, E and zinc can help prevent macular degeneration, a condition that deteriorates the macula – the part of the eye responsible for central vision. Some of the best foods include carrots, red peppers, broccoli, spinach and strawberries. The omega-3s found in fatty fish are also recommended.
Exercise Regularly
It’s hard to believe that keeping your waistline trimmed can affect your eyesight, but it can! By managing your weight, you’re also lowering your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Both conditions can damage the blood vessels in the eye, leading to permanent damage. Diabetic retinopathy, for example, can cause the blood vessels to leak fluid.
Manage Chronic Conditions
Other conditions can affect your vision as well, such as multiple sclerosis or high blood pressure. The chronic inflammation is a concern because it can affect the optic nerve. If you have conditions such as high blood pressure or MS, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders in terms of taking medicine and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Wear Your Sunglasses
People don’t realize how important it is to wear sunglasses. The sun’s harmful rays can penetrate into the eyes and lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Wear your sunglasses when you’re outdoors or driving – even in the winter. Choose ones that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Speaking of eyewear, be sure to wear protective eye glasses when playing sports.
Take Breaks When Working
If you’re staring at the computer or another digital device, go easy on your eyes. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means that every 20 minutes, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, it can make a huge difference in preventing eye strain and fatigue.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health and your vision. By continuing to smoke, your risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration is raised dramatically. The toxins in cigarettes and cigarette smoke cause inflammation in the body, affecting your eyes. Once you quit, you can enjoy better vision, teeth, skin and hair.
When you start to lose your eyesight, it might never return. Prevention is always best. By following the tips above, you can naturally improve your eyesight without the use of medications or surgery.