When it comes to New Year resolutions for healthy eyes, there’s no better time to start than 2020. This can be the year that your vision goes beyond 20/20 with LASIK, or stays sharp and vibrant with a regular checkup.
Beginning with a visit to Clarity Eye Group, it can also be a time to try something new, like the latest ultra-comfortable contacts, or progressive reading glasses that are just the incentive you need to dive into a thrilling novel. It can be the year you recommit to a healthy diet and lifestyle, and resolve to leave behind habits like smoking, excess alcohol use, and even overdoing it with computer screen time.
So how can you love your eyes in 2020? Let us count the ways…
Schedule Your Exam
Regular eye exams not only keep your vision sharp if you wear glasses or contacts, but also help the experienced professionals at Clarity Eye Group in Huntington Beach check for serious issues such as glaucoma, ocular hypertension and macular degeneration. Check out the latest technology in lenses and contacts, and take the opportunity to explore something new, whether it be colored contacts, ultra-cool prescription sunglasses or an advanced LASIK procedure that will liberate you from lenses.
Understand Solar Power
Speaking of sunglasses, don’t forget that your future is so bright in 2020 that, well, you’ll definitely need those shades. And not just on sunny days: harmful ultraviolet rays easily pass through clouds and reflect off water and light-colored surfaces. Quality sunglasses with high levels of UVA and UVB protection are essential to preventing damage to your eyes and the development of conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Try a wraparound style for even greater protection.
Don’t Be So Blue
Damaging ultraviolet rays are at the far blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum, but you can get an unhealthy dose of blue light even when you’re out of the sun. Computer screens and other digital devices emit blue light, as do high-definition TVs and the LED lights that are steadily replacing the old incandescent bulbs. Using a screen filter, special glasses designed for computer use, and simply limiting your screen time, are all smart ways to protect your eyes and reduce strain.
Focus on Lens Safety
Contact lenses have become so comfortable and convenient that they’re almost an afterthought in our daily routine. We pop them in before heading out the door, and sometimes end up falling asleep while wearing them. Even when we do remove them at night, we frequently don’t follow the recommended cleaning regimen. But keeping contacts free of bacteria should be a priority. When bacteria develop on lenses or in lens containers that haven’t been properly cleaned or replaced, the results can range from irritation to serious infection. And some types of eye infection can lead to loss of vision.
Feast for Your Eyes
Just as your diet affects your overall health, your eyes are sensitive to which foods you are consuming — and which nutrients you may be missing. Many studies have demonstrated that a diet rich in key vitamins and minerals protects your eyes against serious diseases. Omega-3 fats found in salmon and other fish, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables high in beta carotene — and anything that is a good source of lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc — should be on your shopping list for 2020. And don’t forget to burn all those powerful nutrients in the great outdoors: Research suggests there is a strong link between vigorous exercise and improved eye health.
For more information on ways to protect your eyes and preserve your vision, contact Clarity Eye Group today.
New Year Resolutions for Healthier Eyes
