Everyday Tips to Protect Your New Vision
LASIK surgery can improve your vision, turning a blurry, fuzzy world clear and crisp. Imagine a life without the hassle of glasses or contacts. After LASIK, protect your eyes and your new, improved vision. These simple tips won’t take a lot of effort but are essential for healthy eyes.
Wear Sunglasses
Sun damage doesn’t just affect the skin. Your eyes can be harmed by the sun’s powerful rays. The National Eye Institutes recommend wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium, a tissue growth over the white of the eye.
Look for sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays and provide protection from both UVA and UVB. These sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, you can find a good pair for under $20 if you’re on a budget. Wear sunglasses even if the sun isn’t bothering your eyes. Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory, but powerful protection for your vision.
Visit Your Eye Doctor Annually
Many LASIK patients start slacking on their eye exams after their vision improves. Now that they no longer use glasses or contacts, there’s no rush to get to the doctor to renew a prescription. Regular visits to your eye care provider are essential to your eye health. Getting a prescription is only one of many reasons to visit the eye doctor.
Regular visits to your optometrist or ophthalmologist are important to:
- Spot early signs of glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
- Renew prescriptions, if needed, and check in on vision.
- Discuss eye concerns, as needed.
Don’t forget to schedule your eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor. The frequency of visits varies, depending on age and eye health. You doctor can help you figure out an appropriate treatment schedule.
Eat for Your Eyes
Healthy foods are good for the eyes! You’ve probably heard that your vision loves carrots, and this is true, but there are many other eye-healthy foods for you to enjoy. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, can help to protect your sight. Fish with high levels of Omega-3s, like salmon, may also have eye health benefits.
Practice Good Digital Habits
Do you stare at the screen all day long? When you’re staring at a screen, you may blink less, leading to eye fatigue. The 20-20-20 rule is a simple way to protect your eyes while still enjoying a digital life. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screens and focus on something 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. You’re just 20 seconds away from happier digital eyes.
Don’t Smoke
We know you’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again and again. Smoking is bad your health. You may not realize that it is also harmful for your eyes. Smoking is linked to an increased risk for some eye problems including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage. Don’t start smoking. If you already smoke, take steps to quit. Your health, and your eyes, will thank you.
Use Eye Protection as Needed
You know those embarrassing eye safety goggles at work? We know you don’t want to wear them, but please do. Protective eyewear can keep your eyes safe during sports, work, and activities at home. If eye protection is needed, use it.
Maintain Your Weight
Maintaining a stable, healthy weight can help your eyes. The risk of diabetes is higher if you’re overweight and diabetes can cause serious vision problems if it isn’t controlled. A condition called diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. Poorly controlled blood sugar is a major risk factor. Maintain a stable weight to reduce your risk for diabetes. If you do have diabetes, work closely with your doctor to control your blood sugar and reduce your risk of diabetic complications.
Improve Your Vision with LASIK
LASIK can help many patients to achieve better vision by reshaping the eye. Ideally, the eye is perfectly round, but in reality, the eye is often misshapen. LASIK uses powerful lasers to reshape the eye, reduce refractive errors, and improve vision. The tips we’ve shared for protecting your vision after LASIK surgery can also help to protect the eyes before LASIK surgery. If you want to learn more about LASIK or find out if you’re a good candidate, call Will Vision and Laser Centers and learn more.
As top LASIK providers in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve helped thousands of patients discover their best vision, often without glasses or contacts. Modern LASIK is very safe and very effective. We use the best available technologies to ensure you get the best possible results. Call today!