Naturally Extend Your Eye Health Before and After Lasik Surgery

Eye health is so important to maintain over your life. And while there are some issues that can be genetic, such as glaucoma or keratoconus, there are many things that we can do to lessen the damage that the environment can have on our eyes. This is also of utmost importance if you’ve recently had LASIK eye surgery and are looking for ways to maintain your newly improved vision. Remember, most people’s eyesight continues to decline with age, so you’ll want to do everything in your power to keep your vision as clear and sharp as possible.

 Consider what you eat.

A well-balanced and health-focused diet makes such a difference in all aspects of our lives – including our eyes. Many of us have likely grown up hearing that carrots help improve your vision, and while beta-carotene is an essential vitamin involved in eye health, there are many other common foods that can also make a difference. The antioxidants found in leafy green vegetables – such as kale and spinach – have been shown to ward off macular degeneration, which leads to blurred or lost vision in many people as they age. Make sure that you are also getting a healthy dose of vitamins C and E, which loads of tasty fruits and nuts are packed with. Above all, having a good diet can reduce your risk for diabetes, which is a leading cause of blindness later in life.

 Keep your eyes protected.

You wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, so don’t forget that your eyes need this same protection! Wear sunglasses to decrease UV exposure, too much of which can lead to cataracts. You should also just practice good common sense; if you work around materials that could damage your eyes, be sure that you are taking the proper precautions up front to keep those peepers protected. If you are planning to have LASIK eye surgery, you’ll need to take special care of your eyes following the procedure; talk to your LASIK eye doctor about what you should expect and prepare for.

 Cut out the bad habits.

Smoking is pretty much bad for you by every angle and measure. For your eyes, it can mean cataracts, macular degeneration and more. Staring at the computer screen for too long can also have negative effects, including blurred vision and dry eyes. When working on your computer, be sure to take frequent breaks and focus on something at a further distance. Your eyes will thank you when they have a chance to relax.

 Stay clean to stay healthy.

This hopefully goes without saying, but keeping your eyes clean is essential for maintaining good vision. Be sure to frequently wash your hands, clean your eyes to remove any dirt or makeup, and generally refrain from touching your eyes too much.

 Visit your eye doctor.

Regularly scheduled eye exams will ensure that your prescription is up to date and can help catch any potential issues early on. If you are planning to schedule an appointment for LASIK eye surgery, your eye doctor will give you more specific recommendations so that you can enjoy your improved vision for years to come.