We’ve all heard our mothers tell us that we only have one pair of eyes — and that’s especially true for those who work in positions that require visual acuity. In fact, 75% of vision loss is preventable and treatable, according to the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
Follow these simple tips to protect your eyes in the long run:
- Avoid blue light as it increases irreversible vision loss, called macular degeneration. Blue light can come from TVs, computers, smart phones and tablets. Minimize use to less than two consecutive hours, or take breaks. If you can’t avoid working at a computer, use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.
- When working in the sun, wear sunglasses that block out 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation.
- Ensure your diet is rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, E and C. Opt for nuts, seeds, carrots, dark leafy greens like spinach and broccoli, and fruit such as apricots, berries and cantaloupe.
- Stop smoking. Smoking increases risk of vision loss.
- Be diligent about wearing the correct eye protection for your line of work.
- See a health professional regularly to identify any potential eye issues before they progress.
