Tips for eye health and maintaining good eyesight -

Eyes are our vision of the world. They are the way we see. It's vital therefore that we take care of them. Eye health goes hand-in-hand with general health, and common eye problems can be easily prevented if you practice essential eye care habits every day.

Click through the following gallery and focus on these tips for keeping your precious peepers in perfect condition.

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Red eye -

Among the more common issues with vision is red eye, a condition where the white of the eye (the sclera) has become reddened or "bloodshot." A warm or cool compress usually does the trick. Otherwise, lubricate your peepers with eye drops, so-called "artificial tears."

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Trouble seeing at night and difficulty reading -

One of the first signs of a problem with vision is difficulty seeing at night or reading. Night blindness or nyctalopia refers to difficulty seeing at night or in poor or dim lighting situations. Trouble with reading may suggest eye strain, when eyes simply get tired from intense use.

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Itchy eyes and allergies -

Most of the time, itchy eyes are caused by some type of allergy. But it could also be a symptom of an airborne irritant, an infection, or dry eye. Whatever the cause, try and avoid rubbing the eyes. It won't make any difference. Instead, seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

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Trouble telling the difference between colors -

Are you color blind? If you have trouble distinguishing between red and green, you may be suffering from the most common form of color blindness. Almost half of all color blind people are unaware of their condition, while 60% of sufferers experience many problems in everyday life. If in doubt, contact an eye care specialist.

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Regular eye exams -

Most eye care professionals recommend that you have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, depending on your age, risk factors, and whether you currently wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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Eye exams for senior citizens -

If you are over 60 years old, you should definitely have an eye exam every year. These exams are even more important if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of eye disease.

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Eat fresh fruit and vegetables -

Eating at least five servings daily of fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet helps boost all-round well-being, and helps maintain eye health. Certain vitamins and minerals may play a role in preventing two common causes of vision problems: cataracts and and age-related macular degeneration.

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Quit smoking -

Smoking contributes to an array of major health problems, but did you you know that smoking can lead to vision loss? The habit increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome. Best to quit!

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Don't overdo screen time -

Take regular breaks while doing computer work and other tasks that mostly involve using your eyes. A good tip is to look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object around 7 m (20 ft) away for a minute or so.

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Eye drops -

Eye drops help replace your eye's natural moisture when they aren't making enough on their own. These "artificial tears" help to relieve dryness, irritation, and eye redness. Note, however, that unless you've been directed to use over-the-counter eye drops by your doctor, you shouldn't be using them on a daily basis: they aren't meant for long-term eye care!

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Wear your glasses -

Some of us don't take easily to wearing glasses. The fact is that most glasses are prescribed for a purpose, and even those with low to moderate vision loss will suffer detrimental consequences if...

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Don't forget -

... they keep forgetting to wear them, or vanity prompts them to tuck their glasses in a pocket for a "rainy day." Use them!

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Problems with new glasses -

A new pair of glasses usually resolves the problem of impaired eyesight. But if after a few days of wearing new lenses you continue to experience blurred vision, double vision, or other issues, get in touch with your optician. It may just be a problem with the frame or the prescription, but it's best to seek professional advice sooner rather than later.

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Wear sunglasses outdoors -

Try to always wear sunglasses when outdoors. Choose a good quality pair that protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays. And hey, wear them too in overcast weather.

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Wearing your lenses -

Always follow the correct procedure for wearing contact lenses. Wearing your lenses too long can damage your eyes—even if they're daily contacts. You should have a schedule that allows you to take out the contacts and let your eyes rest. And it's wise to alternate between wearing contacts and glasses one or two times a week.

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Contact lens hygiene -

Don't underestimate the need to maintain contact lenses to the highest degree of cleanliness. After all, they are in direct contact with your eyes! Purchase a recommended commercially-made contact cleaning fluid, and remember to thoroughly wash your hands and fingertips before applying each lens.

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Eye health history -

Share your family's eye health history with your doctor. This information will help ascertain whether you're prone to problems with vision. You should also reveal any underlying health issues. These can indirectly affect the quality of your eyesight.

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High blood pressure -

Untreated, high blood pressure can affect your eyesight and lead to eye disease. Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy.

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Diabetes -

Diabetes begins to damage your eyes when sugar blocks the tiny blood vessels that feed your retina, causing them to leak fluid or bleed, blurring vision. While the eyes can grow new blood vessels, they don't work as well.

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Sensitivity to bright light -

If you're particularly sensitive to bright light, book an appointment with your eye care professional to ascertain what kind of sunglasses you should be wearing. Sunglasses that block 75% to 90% of visible light, or that block blue wavelengths, are usually required. Remember also that sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of ultraviolet A and B radiation help protect against cataracts.

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Trouble with glare -

And speaking of trouble with glare, think about wearing antireflection-coated lenses if, for example, nighttime headlight glare is an issue. Actually, this type of eyewear can help reduce glare and reflections both day and night.

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Reduced vision in aging eyes -

In late middle age, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible and less able to thicken and thus less able to focus on nearby objects, a natural condition called presbyopia. Besides wearing the correct glasses, tips to lessen the impact of reduced vision include placing more lamps in the home and installing task lighting. You can also get creative by eliminating glare with indirect lighting.

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Annoying spots in front of your eyes -

As we age, most of us experience seeing spots or floaters in front of our eyes. It's a common and harmless sign of the times. But if you experience a sudden onset of floaters, or if they are accompanied by flashes of light or vision loss, then it may signal something more serious.

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Danger signs -

Floaters can indicate diabetic retinopathy, carotid artery disease, or early-stage retinal detachment, among other conditions. Contact your healthcare professional if you have symptoms.

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Avoid rubbing eyes -

Sometimes rubbing your eyes is unavoidable. But next time pause and think about all the dust and bacteria your hands are exposed to. All this and more can easily be transferred to your eyes each time you touch or rub them. Try and resist the temptation, or use a clean handkerchief or cleansing wipe.

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Wear the appropriate eye safety gear for different activities -

Always make sure your eyes are protected. This is especially so when indulging in outdoor activities such as gardening or DIY maintenance. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust particles, bacteria, and injuries. And always use swimming goggles to avoid exposing your eyes to chlorine.

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Use the right kind of eye makeup -

Sometimes vanity can overrule common sense, but it's important that you avoid eye shadows, mascara, and eyeliners that cause an allergic reaction to your eyes. Don't forget to use a good quality makeup remover, and clean your makeup brushes on a regular basis.

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Stay hydrated -

Remaining hydrated is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Drinking enough water daily is something we should all do. And, of course, it prevents your eyes from getting dry and irritated.

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Seeing is believing -

By following these tips and recommendations, your eyes should remain in good and healthy condition. But if ever in doubt, it's always best to seek expert medical advice from an eye care specialist.

See also: 60 ways to be healthier in 60 seconds.

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