Your vision plays a critical role in your life, allowing you to enjoy everything from trips to the art museum to completing essential daily tasks. By making smart decisions, you can protect your eyes and make it possible to enjoy healthy vision for a lifetime. Consider these three eye care tips to help maintain your vision.

Eye Care Tips You Should Remember

1. Invest In Better Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just accessories; they are designed to block sunlight by filtering UVA and UVB light. However, many pairs are designed to be cosmetic and can’t be trusted to protect your eyes. Knowing the difference between these types of glasses is vital in maintaining eye health. Your eyes can become sunburned as quickly as your skin, and if you spend time outdoors in bright lights without protection, you can develop photokeratitis. This eye condition can cause symptoms like redness, irritation, blurriness, and even vision loss. To protect your vision, talk with your eye doctor about which sunglasses to invest in, or consider getting a custom pair of prescription sunglasses. 

2. Stop Smoking

Most people realize that smoking can damage your lungs, but did you know that it can also be hard on your eyes? Since the nicotine in cigarettes restricts blood flow within vessels, smoking can raise your risk for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, Dry Eye Syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration. Smokers are at a higher risk of most eye issues and will spend time and money on visits to the optometrist. Practice good eye care by starting a smoking cessation program under the supervision of your doctor. 

3. Take Safety Glasses Seriously

Whether you love to do woodworking or you play racquetball with your friends, wearing safety glasses could be the difference between losing an eye and protecting your vision. Everyday tasks like mowing your yard and present risks to your vision. Whether you have perfect vision or are already visibly impaired, it is critical to practice safe eye care to maintain your vision. Invest in a great pair of safety glasses, and consider keeping an extra set in your car in case you find yourself in a situation where you need additional protection. 

In addition to taking eye care precautions in your everyday life, scheduling routine eye exams can also help you to protect your vision. Dr. Michael R. Schmit is committed to helping his patients to enjoy better eye health through careful exams and targeted treatments, resolving symptoms stemming from macular degeneration, cataracts, and eye disease. Whether you are due for an eye exam or you need help with urgent treatment, visit his website online, or give his office a call at (513) 741-8811 to learn more.