From eye drops to supplements, there are many things that promise to improve your eye health. Considering that the World Health Organization says that 2.2 billion people worldwide have near or far vision issues, it’s no wonder that the eye care industry is developing solutions for those people who are desperate to improve eye health. It can be difficult to determine which products to buy and which to pass on.
We’ve narrowed down the things you need to invest in to protect your eye health. These are top picks backed by evidence and eye health experts.
Drop in the eye
Eye drops should be placed in your hand if you are experiencing dryness, redness or allergies.
With so many eye drops on the market for different purposes, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs. There are various artificial tears on the market with preservatives, preservative free, lipid based and others. It is important to understand that over-the-counter eye drops are intended for temporary relief if you have allergies or experience some redness or dryness, for example. More serious conditions that require medical attention should be observed and discussed with your doctor because some eye drops are not recommended for long-term use. However, if you are in the clear and looking for eye drops that work and you want to use, these are some expert-approved options.
Lutein and zeaxanthin
Make sure to have a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin among other nutrients to keep your eyes healthy.
Recommending supplements for eye care can be tricky because not everyone has enough evidence to prove that they work. However, lutein and zeaxanthin have been found to help reduce the progression of macular degeneration. A study conducted between 2006 and 2012 found that people with moderate macular degeneration in both eyes or in one eye and advanced disease in the other reduced the risk of it getting worse by about 25 % by consuming lutein and zeaxanthin.
Besides getting it in supplement form, you can also increase your lutein and zeaxanthin intake by eating foods like dark leafy greens, egg yolks, salmon, and yellow and orange products like corn. , carrots and peppers, to name a few. Other nutrients you should prioritize in your diet for eye health include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Latest prescription glasses and contact lenses
Keep your eyeglass prescription up to date to keep your eyes in good shape.
It’s important to stay up to date on your eye exams to make sure your prescription hasn’t changed since your last visit. Wearing the wrong prescription — whether they are contact lenses or glasses — can cause many issues that can be avoided. Side effects of wearing the wrong prescription include headaches, eye strain due to squinting, blurred vision, night blindness and other issues. In this case, it is worth spending money on a new pair of glasses and / or contacts so that you do not cause further damage to your eyes and to reduce the aforementioned symptoms. If you are constantly experiencing vision problems, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out any other eye conditions.
Sunglasses with UV protection
Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection is essential, even on cloudy days to protect your eyes.
Besides protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays with sunscreen, you should also protect your eyes. Prolonged exposure to the sun while you’re outside can damage your eyes in the long run, even if it’s cloudy. Dr. Mackenzie Sward, a board-certified ophthalmologist, told CNET previously that harmful UVA and UVB rays in the atmosphere increase the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, eyelid skin cancer and other eye diseases. Therefore, wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection is essential if you enjoy spending time doing outdoor activities. If you want to experiment with prescription glasses that provide the right protection, you can check out some of our favorite picks.
