How to Protect Your Eyes With Good Habits and Nutrition
Our vision is something we often take for granted until we start having problems with it. So it’s not exactly surprising that there are more and more Singaporeans with eyesight issues today.
But all hope is not lost. We can still make better choices today if we want to protect our eyes for the long term.
From buying the best eye health supplements in Singapore to eating a balanced diet and changing our daily habits, here’s a quick guide on how we can naturally improve our eyesight.
Video Overview:
How Do Lifestyle and Diet Impact Our Vision?
Just like many things in life, our actions also affect our overall eye health. For example:
- Using the computer or mobile devices for too long causes a problem called digital eye strain. It leads to symptoms such as dry eyes, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
- If you’re always out under the sun without any sunglasses or shade to protect your eyes, your cornea can basically get sunburnt. You also increase your risk of cataracts.
- Smoking’s harmful effects aren’t limited to your lungs. Smokers are more likely to have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.
Our eyes also depend on many nutrients to stay healthy and avoid deficiencies and other diseases. These include the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A helps you see better when in low-light conditions.
- Vitamin C has antioxidants that fight against oxidative damage that can lead to a wide array of eye conditions.
- Vitamin E also protects your eyes from oxidative stress.
- Carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin keep your retina safe from harmful blue light emitted by both the sun and digital screens.
- Zinc keeps your eyes safer from UV light damage.
Foods to Eat to Improve Our Eyes
Many foods support your eyes and boost your vision. Let’s go through some popular ones:
- Livers are among the best sources of Vitamin A. If you’re not a fan of it, you could opt for carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes instead.
- To have more Vitamin C in your system, you’ll want to eat more citrus fruits like oranges and pomelo. Pineapples, strawberries, and mangoes are great as well.
- Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, bok choy, and kale have plenty of carotenoids.
- You can get Vitamin E in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
Can You Take Supplements for Your Eyes?
Certainly! The health supplements you buy at Singapore’s wellness stores can also be immensely helpful in safeguarding your eyes. Sometimes, our diet still isn’t enough to provide us with the nutrients needed to support our eyes. This can be due to food restrictions and sensitivities.
Supplements give you that extra boost you need even if it can’t (and shouldn’t!) completely replace a whole meal. However, do consult your healthcare provider before you start taking any. They can point you towards the best eye supplements and dosages for your specific needs. It’s also best to play it safe by speaking with the doctor to avoid potential side effects.
Good Habits That Also Maintain Your Eye Health
Besides making the right food choices, how else can we change ourselves to protect our eyes? Let’s look at some habits to consider:
- Take frequent breaks away from the computer or phone. At least 5 minutes for every half-hour of digital time is good enough.
- Reduce the strain on your eyes by having a well-light workspace.
- Wear UV-protected glasses to shield your eyes when outdoors, especially on a sunny day.
- Now would also be a good time to quit smoking.
- Schedule regular checkups to watch for signs of eye issues.
Related Infographic: Common Eye Problems
Eye Care Is Also Self-Care
When we take care of ourselves by eating healthy food and having healthier habits, we also take care of our eyes. So let’s make some small changes today so we can have clearer eyesight tomorrow. You could start by getting the best eye supplements in Singapore or spending less time on your devices. What matters is taking the initiative to improve yourself.
