Identify any hereditary vision issues
The first step in having healthy eyes is knowing what you're up against. I can't tell you how many times a patient was unaware of having a hereditary predisposition to a specific eye condition. It's crucial to be aware of any condition you may be more susceptible to so that you and your eye doctor can take the appropriate steps in helping you preserve the health of your eyes.
Healthy eating means healthy eyes
What you might not realize is that your diet directly affects the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. Diets high in leafy greens are especially helpful because many vegetables provide you with lutein, an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to the retina.
Protein and Vitamin A are also equally as important to maintaining healthy eyes, with protein in the form of omega-3 fatty acids especially so. One of the best sources of protein and omega-3s is fish. I know not everyone likes fish, but it's worth eating for the health benefits alone.
Clean those contacts
It doesn't matter if you only wear your contacts a few times a week or everyday--keep them clean. The reason being is that dirty contact lenses can lead to eye irritation. If your eyes are irritated, you're more likely to itch or scratch them with your hands (also good things to keep clean).
Throw away old makeup
Did you know makeup has an expiration date? There's good reason for that, too. If you use old, expired cosmetics around your eyes, you risk the chance of irritating your them. It's also a good rule of thumb to thoroughly wash off all the days makeup before going to bed. When makeup isn't removed properly it can get deeper into your pores and can actually result in an eye infection, and no one wants that.
And finally ...
If you notice any obvious changes in your vision or how your eyes generally feel, please call your optometrist. The best way to treat any medical issue, whether it involves the eyes or not, is to get a jump on it as quickly as possible.
