Eye Health and Safety in the Home – The eyes are often referred to as the window to the soul, but they are also one of the most fragile and delicate organs. Many factors can negatively impact eye health, and it is important to understand how to keep them safe. Eye health and safety in the home should be of concern to
everyone, not just people with a diagnosis of glaucoma. Everyone needs to be aware of the risks and understand what is required to protect the health and safety of their eyes.
Below you will be provided with a guide on how to maintain eye health and safety in the home to help prevent the development of ongoing long-term problems.
Wear Safety Glasses
Prescription safety glasses provide protection for your eyes from chemicals or flying debris during strenuous activities. The lenses should be made of polycarbonate plastic, which has been proven to be resistant to impact from small particles. For example, if you are using a power drill or other high-speed tools at home, wear prescription safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying chips or dust particles that could cause damage to your cornea or retina.
Check Your Eyes Regularly
One of the best ways to prevent eye damage is by checking your vision regularly. Schedule an annual exam with your doctor or optometrist and keep track of any changes in your vision. If you see something unusual in your vision or notice that something isn’t right, don’t ignore it — talk to your doctor right away.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
When you rub your eyes, you can inadvertently spread germs from one eye to another. This can cause an eye infection that leads to blurry vision or pain. If you have redness or irritation around your eyes, stop rubbing them immediately and seek treatment from an optometrist.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Wash your hands before you prepare food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers or handling pets. If you have children, wash your hands often to keep from spreading germs. If you have a cut on your hand, be sure to keep it covered with a bandage until it heals.
Get Plenty of Sleep
The National Eye Institute recommends that healthy adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Getting enough rest helps your body recover from the day, including your eyes. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try taking a warm bath or reading a book before bedtime.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water helps maintain proper eye moisture levels and prevents dryness that may contribute to eye problems. It also helps flush out toxins from the body, which could help prevent infections in the eyes.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States. The risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration increases with cigarette smoking, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).
Eat Healthy Food
If you want to keep your eyes healthy, then you need to eat healthy food. Your diet can play a big role in how well your eyes function. Make sure that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which contain vitamins and minerals that help keep the eyes healthy. It’s also important to drink plenty of water so that your body doesn’t become dehydrated.
Exercise Regularly
Many people don’t realize that exercise can improve eye health. When you exercise, blood flow increases to all parts of your body, including the eyes. This helps prevent diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which are often associated with ageing. Exercise also reduces stress and lowers blood pressure, which helps prevent eye problems caused by high blood pressure, such as retinal haemorrhages and retinal detachment.
Limit Screen Time
Using a computer, tablet or smartphone screen too much can cause eye strain and headaches. Reduce the amount of time you spend in front of screens by limiting screen time to two hours per day and make sure to take breaks throughout the day.
Conclusion
With this guide in hand, you should be able to easily avoid the most obvious dangers that threaten your eyesight in your home. Be sure to keep this guide handy for reference, and be safe out there!
