So, what are the best ways to support eye health daily? According to integrative optometrist Marina Gurvich, OD “eye diseases occur due to a combination of genetics, oxidative stress, and inflammation.” She recommends wearing sunglasses during the day and blue-light-blocking glasses at night, exercising regularly, avoiding harsh products when washing your face, and getting plenty of sleep in the name of eye health.
Eating a healthy diet and supplementing can also pay off for your eye health. Eating a Mediterranean-style diet seems to be most helpful for preventing ocular disease, says Gurvich, while supplements that have been shown to protect the eyes include maqui berry, lutein and astaxanthin, and omega-3s.
Finally, tending to your overall health will also support your eyes. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can contribute to vision impairment—as does smoking and physical inactivity, the CDC warns. So your eye health doesn’t start and stop with the obvious prevention methods.
More than anything, be sure to speak with your doctor if you’re concerned about your vision. If you have a current prescription that doesn’t work as well as it used to, stay on top of getting it updated.
