How To Improve Your Eyesight

You can’t put a price on eyesight. Whether you have perfect, 20/20 vision or need prescription glasses, being able to see and experience the world and all its wonders is something one should never take for granted.

Naturally, you may be curious about ways to improve your eyesight. While preservation and proper eye care are the best things you can do for your vision, there are a few other ways to keep your eyes strong and at the top of their game.

Here are six ways to improve vision and keep your eyesight as sharp as possible for as long as possible.

1. Eat better, healthier foods

If you really want to improve your eyesight, make a point of eating better, healthier foods. Following a healthy diet will benefit your eyes, as well as the rest of your body.

The National Eye Institute (NIH) recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially “dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens.” Eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can be great for your vision, as well. (Salmon, halibut, and tuna are all popular choices.)

A 2013 report from Harvard Health says that some evidence shows antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C, as well as the mineral zinc, “may help prevent the progression of macular degeneration” – an age-related disease that can result in a dramatic loss of central vision.

You can find these nutrients in red meat and shellfish (zinc) and common fruits and vegetables (vitamins A, E, and C). This includes broccoli, spinach, carrots, and citrus.

2. Exercise and keep your weight in check

If you’re overweight or obese, you’re at a higher risk of developing conditions like diabetes. Diabetic eye disease is a serious concern and can include damaging diseases including glaucoma, diabetic macular edema, and cataracts. Managing your weight can reduce these risks substantially.

Outdoor exercise can be particularly beneficial for your vision and overall health. Even just a brisk, daily walk for at least 30 minutes a day, four or more days per week, can massively reduce the risk of certain age-related vision disorders. Note that a brisk walk is more than just a casual stroll. You’ll need to pick up the pace, walking quickly enough to feel like you’re getting a workout.

Of course, jogging and other outdoor exercise can be helpful, too. What matters most is that you stick with it and keep active.

3. Quit smoking

The CDC points out that smoking may lead to a greater risk of serious eye disease, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. If you’re not familiar with these diseases, the main thing you need to know is that they can lead to blindness.

We’ll keep this part simple:

• If you’re a smoker, quit! It can substantially improve your eye health.
• If you don’t smoke, great! Don’t start.

4. Wear sunglasses

More than just a fashion statement, a good pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The CDC recommends sunglasses that block out 99-100% percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

If you didn’t already know, UVA radiation doesn’t get absorbed by the ozone layer while UVB is often filtered by the ozone layer but occasionally makes its way to the Earth’s surface – and your eyes. Fortunately, a good pair of sunglasses will provide you with adequate protection all year long.

Not sure where to find sunglasses with 100% UV protection? At Yesglasses, we’ve got hundreds of styles that provide best-in-class UVA and UVB protection.

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5. Reduce eye strain

Eye strain is terribly common. Here are some signs that you’re experiencing eye strain:

• Your eyes feel sore and tired.
• Your eyes feel overly dry or watery.
• You feel more sensitive to light.
• You have difficulty keeping your eyes open.

One of the best things you can do to reduce eye strain is resting your eyes and following the “20-20-20” rule. Here’s how this eye exercise works:

Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This will help manage and alleviate your eye strain over time.

Another option is blue light blocking glasses. These spectacular specs have a special coating that blocks out harmful blue light, significantly reducing eye strain.

How Blue Light Blocking Glasses Work Shop All Blue Light Blocking Glasses

6. Schedule regular eye exams

Regularly scheduled eye exams are a critical part of keeping your eyes healthy. Ideally, you’ll want to see your eye doctor once a year. These appointments will help catch any serious issues or vision problems with the potential to harm your eyesight before they get out of hand, increasing the odds of successful treatment.

Many eye conditions are genetic. Make it a point to learn your family’s eye history and discuss it with your doctor. This can clue them in to what to watch out for when checking and testing your vision.

What else can someone do to keep their eyes healthy?

If you need corrective lenses, make a point of wearing them. If you don’t, you’re sure to experience eye strain as your eyes struggle to focus.

The best way to make sure you wear your glasses is to get a comfortable pair you love to wear. At Yesglasses, we have a tremendous selection of frames and lenses, making it easy to find your new favorite specs. We’ve also got tools to make finding a flawless fit easier than ever.

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Hey! Want the secret to finding the perfect pair of glasses every time? Check out our guide to choosing the best prescription glasses.