There are things we can do every day to take care of the health of our eyes. Simple things, such as making sure we wash our hands before we touch our eyes, wearing sunglasses to protect our eyes from UV rays, eating nutrient-rich foods such as nuts, fish and leafy greens, and adhering to the 20-20-20 rule when we’re spending extra time in front of the screen (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds). Here are some other things to keep in mind that will help maintain your eye health.
Dry Eyes
- Take breaks during long tasks such as reading or looking at a computer screen.
- Add moisture to the air with a humidifier.
- When your eyes are irritated, use a warm compress and gently massage your eyelids.
Allergies
- Avoid rubbing your eyes; eye-rubbing increases the itchiness and may scratch your cornea.
- On days with high pollen count, wash your face after being outside to remove the pollen.
- Saline eye drops or artificial tears can provide immediate relief by washing the allergen out of your eyes. Look for eye drops without added preservatives.
Glasses Care
- Use a clean cotton or microfiber cloth to wipe your lenses; using your shirt, a tissue, paper towel, a napkin, etc. may scratch your lenses.
- Lotion-free dishwashing liquid and water or an approved lens cleaning solution should be used to clean your lenses, as common household cleaners may damage the coating on your lenses.
- Wearing photochromatic lenses will help protect your eyes from UV rays.
Contact Lens Care
- Follow the schedule your doctor gives you for wearing and replacing your lenses; don’t try to extend the life of your lenses by wearing them too long.
- Always take out, rinse and store your lenses in store-bought solution; don’t sleep in your lenses.
- Replace your contact lens case at least three times per year, or whenever you open a new bottle of solution.
Schedule Your Exam
- Annual eye exams are important for everyone. During an exam, your doctor will check for common eye diseases and those that may lead to vision loss, assess how your eyes are working together and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health.
- Make your appointment with Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgery Center, here.
