Did you know that August is National Eye Exam Month? When most people plan on making an appointment with the optometrist, they tend to take more measures to protect their eyes. However, at this point, it is usually too late if you’re worried about damage. Luckily, there are many cheap things we can do every single day that will not only help us protect our eyes but will make us feel a lot healthier too. So, don’t wait until it’s time to head to the eye doctor to try out these ten methods to improve on your daily eye health.

1. Wear a Hat Outdoors
Hats are a great way to add to your fashion sense. You can find them in all sorts of styles too, which suits an assortment of people. The best thing about hats is that most of them serve a better purpose. That is, they help to block light from the sun. Usually, this occurs because of the brim, so if the sun is particularly bright it is important not to wear your baseball cap backward. Hats can also help protect your skin from the sun, as well, which will make it a lot easier for you to stay healthy in the long run.

2. Year-Round Sunglasses
Sunglasses are another fashion accessory that can take your fashion sense to the next level. However, sunglasses also serve a great purpose. They help to block out UV rays when you’re outside. People tend to only wear sunglasses when the UV rating is high, which is generally in the summer months. This is a great practice to get into because the UV rating in the summer can be dangerous. It is incredibly important to wear your sunglasses even when you think the sun isn’t bright enough to cause damage. You might be surprised by how damaging UV rays can be even during the winter months or overcast days. So, make it a rule just to put on a pair of sunglasses any time that you go outdoors.

3. Blue Light Blocking Lenses
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, then you’re really not doing your eyes any favors. For some people, it is really hard to avoid the computer due to work. Even if you spend a lot of time on your phone, you’re still looking at damaging your eyes. That is why everyone should invest in a pair of blue light blocking lenses. If you already have a prescription, then you can get your lenses coated with the blue light blocking film. This will allow you to work or enjoy your phone without having to change our glasses. Of course, if you don’t have a prescription you should still order a pair of glasses that do this. These aren’t going to cost you an arm and leg, and they will help you feel more comfortable as you look at screens.

4. Wear Goggles
A lot of people love to go to the pool and swim around under the water with their eyes open. This isn’t going to do your eyes any favors because there is a ton of chemicals in the pool that can cause your eyes harm. Even swimming at the beach can be a major issue if you get the salty water in your eyes. Of course, it isn’t exactly easy to swim with your eyes closed either. That is why everyone should make a point in purchasing goggles before going to the pool. If you don’t wear glasses, you can actually get a good pair of goggles at almost any retail store. If you do wear glasses then talk to your eye doctor about special ordering goggles, or you can purchase them online. These goggles can also be worn for athletic events, so you don’t have to worry about your glasses falling off or getting sweat in your eyes as you play.

5. Avoid Rubbing Eyes
No matter how old you are, when your eyes are dry or irritated, it is incredibly tempting to rub them. This can really do your eyes some harm though, so try to avoid doing it if you can. Instead, use eye drops to help ease the itchiness. When you do touch your eyes, anything that you have on your hands can enter the eye. Even if you don’t see anything there, your hand can still be covered in bacteria, germs, allergens, or even dangerous chemicals. Right now, it is especially important not to touch your eyes as Covid-19 can infect you through contact with the eyes. Whenever you touch your face, you should always wash your hands first.

6. Minimize Screen Time
Even if you do have blue light blocking glasses on hand, you should still try to minimize your screen time as much as you possibly can. Spending a lot of time on the computer or phone can cause eye fatigue, which comes with a wide assortment of symptoms. When you are doing screen time, you should remember the rule of 20s. That is, only look at the screen for 20 minutes at a time. When that 20 minutes is up, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It might also be useful to stand up and stretch during that 20-minute mark. In order to keep track of the time, you can easily set an alarm or download an app on your favorite browser to alert you to protect your eyes.

7. Manage Diet
Ensuring you are leading a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to offer your eyes the protection they deserve. One of the most important things to do is to keep a healthy diet. You’re going to want to load up on fruits, vegetables, and proteins. There are certain foods that help with eye health too, so make note of them and add them to your diet whenever you can. You should also drink water frequently. Keeping your body hydrated will help your entire body function better. On top of all of that, you might consider taking some supplements. Vitamins are a great option, but you can take supplements that are specifically designed for the eyes. You can also talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for these supplements to help save you money and ensure you’re getting the quality you deserve.

8. Exercise
You might not believe it, but exercising is one of the keys to helping your eyes maintain their health. Exercise is actually good for your entire system so doing it regularly will help boost overall health. Keeping up with exercise helps to reduce your chance of obesity, which can damage your eyes. It is also a good way to prevent diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Apart from that, getting your blood pumping is one of the best ways to ensure circulation is strong throughout the body, so your eyes will get everything they need to work properly.

9. Manage Dryness
There are actually many reasons why your eyes might feel dry. Everything from allergens, not getting enough sleep, and screen usage can play a contributing factor to your eyes’ dryness. The important thing to do is manage the dryness as it can cause a lot of problems if you don’t. There are a ton of eye drops on the market, so you might browse around, look at reviews, and then decide which brands and types you’d like to try. If you’re really worried about your eyes’ dryness, then you might talk to your eye doctor about it. Generally, they can diagnose any problems, prescribe medical grade drops, or simply point you in the right direction of the best eye drop for you. This should help you out immensely when it comes to protecting your eyes and managing their overall health.

10. Regular Exams
Without a doubt, one of the best protective measures you can make is to see your eye doctor regularly. A regular exam will help them catch a problem while it can still be fixed. This will certainly make you feel more confident about your eye health. Plus, they will ensure your prescription is up to date, so your eyes don’t deteriorate faster than they would with age. Your eye doctor is a great resource when it comes to eye health too, so make sure to ask questions whenever you can.

Your eyes are precious, so make sure you take the necessary precautions to take care of them. These ten tips will help you make wise choices when it comes to your eyes, so you can enjoy eye health for years to come.