Of all the things we may take for granted, our eyesight should not be one of them. The gift of sight is one of the most precious things we have and we depend on it our entire lives. We therefore owe it to our eyes to take care of them.
Smoking can lead to age-related macular degeneration which eventually causes blindness, so the first thing we can do for our eyes is quit smoking and avoid smoky atmospheres. Protective goggles should be worn during DIY work and even in certain sports to safeguard the eyes from injury; and we all know the dangers of UVA and UVB rays on our skin and eyes, so protection from the sun's glare and reflection with good quality sunglasses is a must.
Just as we keep a first aid kit in our homes, an emergency eyewash station should also be included and inexpensive wall-mounted kits with mirrors are readily available. These come with sterile solutions and eye baths and should be used immediately when dust or other foreign bodies enter the eyes.
Regular eye examinations should be as much a part of our routine as regular dental checks, as some eye diseases are symptomless and can only be detected by proper examination. If caught early enough, most of these are usually treatable. This is particularly important as we get older.
One of the best things we can do for our eye health though is to eat a proper diet. Foods rich in omega 3 and lutein are particularly beneficial. These include dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, fruits such as lush berries and also eggs and fish. Keeping our eyes healthy need not be hard work – feeding them can even be quite delicious!