It’s easy to overlook just how much your eyes do every day. They help you see beautiful sunsets, read your favorite books, and spot your friends across the room! Your eyes deserve to be treated like the VIPs they are.
That’s why The Vision Council Foundation joined the National Eye Institute (NEI) in celebrating Healthy Vision Month this May. The theme this year, Healthy Lives, Healthy Eyes, gives all of us the tips we need to treat our eyes right.
To help you protect your eyesight and maintain overall eye health, we’ve outlined five simple habits you can easily adopt in your everyday life.
Five Simple Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
1. Eat Eye-Friendly Foods
It’s no surprise that eating a healthy diet translates to the health of your eyes. Challenge yourself to try adding a colorful fruit or vegetable to every meal. Dark green veggies like spinach and kale are especially helpful! And don’t forget foods high in omega-3 fats like fish and nuts.
2. Get Moving
When you exercise, your whole body gets healthier, including your eyes. There are plenty of ways to get active no matter what your interests. Whether it’s hitting a workout class, walking the local nature trail, or playing a friendly pickup game with your friends, just 30 minutes of movement each day can make a difference for your health.
3. Visit Your Eye Doctor
Regular eye check-ups are super important. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Many eye diseases don’t show signs until they’ve caused damage.
Your eye doctor has special tools to help spot problems early, even ones you can’t feel or see. If they find something wrong, then they can recommend ways to treat the problem.
Nervous about scheduling that visit? The Vision Council Foundation has you covered with a comprehensive eye exam guide, covering everything from the different types of exams to what you should expect. You can even use our locator to find an eye doctor near you!
4. Protect Your Eyes Every Day
Your eyes need protection:
- Wear sunglasses that block UV rays when you’re outside, even on cloudy days. Check out our “Pick Your Perfect Pair” guide and celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27.
- Use safety glasses while playing sports or using tools.
- Properly store and clean contact lenses if you use them.
5. Give Your Eyes a Screen Break
Phones, computers, and tablets can make your eyes tired. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a chance to relax. Visit our website to learn about more steps you can take to alleviate digital eye strain.
Easy Ways to Learn More
The National Eye Institute and The Vision Council Foundation make it simple to learn about eye health. Check out additional Healthy Vision Month resources from NEI:
- Short videos about eye health
- Graphics you can share on social media
- Simple tips you can use right away
Start Your Eye Health Journey Today!
As Healthy Vision Month comes to an end, we challenge you to keep the momentum going and try one new eye-healthy habit each week. Your eyes will thank you for the TLC, no matter the time of the year.
