Most optometrists recommend getting a checkup once a year to check for vision changes and the onset of any serious eye conditions. However, it can be difficult to know exactly how healthy your eyes really are and what you can do to continue seeing well for many years to come.
Whether you wear glasses, contacts, or have 20/20 vision there are quite a few things you can do to maintain good eye health at any age. Along with regular checkups, here are some natural approaches to eye care to keep in mind.
Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Eyes
The vitamin that everyone thinks of when talking about eye health is vitamin A. However, there are several other vitamins and minerals that support healthy eyes as well.
These are some of the supplements that support the nutritional health of your eyes.
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Omega-3s
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidants
Foods and Herbs for Eye Health
Just as vitamin A is the go-to supplement for eye health, carrots are the #1 food that most people think of when this topic comes up. Could millions of parents telling their kids to finish their carrots so they can “see in the dark” really be wrong?
Carrots and other orange-colored fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, which helps the retina and other parts of the eye function properly. But if you’re not a bit fan of how carrots taste, try our carrot powder or carrot and garlic capsules to get the same health benefits with none of the taste.
But eating for good eye health goes well beyond carrots too. These are some other healthy foods to incorporate into your diet for good eye health.
- Leafy greens (contain antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin)
- Citrus fruits (contain vitamin C)
- Eggs (contain zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin)
- Berries (contain vitamin C)
- Almonds (contain vitamin E)
- Salmon, tuna, trout, and other fatty fish (contain omega-3s)
- Whole grains (contain zinc)
If you’re committed to living a natural and healthy lifestyle, chances are you’ve already started adding herbs to your diet to address health concerns. Herbs can be a powerful and low-risk way of boosting your vision and the health of your eyes.
These are some of the best herbs to take for eye health:
- Coleus
- Ginkgo
- Cannabis
- Bilberry
- Jaborandi
- Green tea
- Bentoniteclay
Healthy Eye Lifestyle Habits
Not only do the things you put into your body affect your eye health, but your lifestyle habits play a huge role as well. Many people, especially those who work in front of computers 8+ hours per day, subject themselves to prolonged eye strain and over-work the eyes to a point of exhaustion.
Here are some healthy habits to incorporate into your daily routine to take care of your eyes and keep your vision strong.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection
- Reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun
- Don’t smoke – smokers are more prone to macular degeneration and cataracts
- Only wear contacts for the doctor/manufacturer-recommended amount of time
- Never sleep in contacts unless they are designed for this purpose
- Take plenty of breaks from screen time
- Strengthen your eye muscles by blinking and moving your eyes in all directions regularly
- Wash off eye makeup every night before bed
- Schedule an eye exam with a trusted optometrist every year
You’re born with just one pair of eyes and it’s up to you to take care of them for the rest of your life. We experience so much of the world through our sense of sight and often take it for granted. Eyesight often begins to fail with age, but you can prolong or prevent eye disease and vision loss by taking good care of your eyes every day…starting today!