Our eyesight naturally gets weaker as we age. Unfortunately, we can’t stop it from happening – everyone will eventually experience presbyopia, which is the hardening of your lenses, and age-related macular degeneration. However, there are ways to slow the eye-aging process and maintain your vision for longer. Laurier Optical has a few tips to help.

Get The Right Nutrients

Your eyes need to get the proper nourishment to stay healthy. A poor diet and diabetes can lead to the degeneration of your eye health, whereas a healthy diet filled with the right nutrients can protect your eyes. Some of the nutrients you should be consuming to maintain good eyesight are Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamins C and E, and lutein. Consulting a nutritionist or looking online can help you identify foods with these nutrients.

Give Up Smoking

If you’ve been trying to quit but haven’t managed to yet, here’s another reason to keep on trying. When you smoke, you’re more likely to damage your optic nerve and develop cataracts, and you contribute to macular degeneration.

Wear Sunglasses

Like your skin, your eyes are sensitive to UV rays. Exposing your eyes to dangerous UV rays boosts your chances of getting cataracts. Surgery can help correct vision loss caused by cataracts but is not the optimal solution. Invest in a pair of sunglasses that provide 99% to 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays. 

Down Time From Screens

Aside from the headaches your computer is undoubtedly giving you, screens put a strain on your eyes, cause blurry eyes, make it harder to focus on objects in the distance over time, and can make your eyes dry. Dry eyes can really be a killer since it reduces your body’s natural ability to create tears. Your eyes will be left stinging and burning, and often the moisture created by tears will have to be artificially created by eye drops. Take a break from your screens. Go for a walk, look away every hour when you’re working, and turn off the television an hour before bed. 

Get Regular Eye Exams

Prevent eye degeneration by regularly getting your eyes checked with your optometrist. Your doctor will identify problems and help you find long-term solutions to them. 

Laurier Optical offers a wide range of glasses and contact lenses, perfect for everyday use. Need an eye exam? Contact us today to book an appointment.