One of the best ways to make this a Happy New Year is to take better care of your eyes. While it is not a common resolution, improving your eye health is always a worthwhile goal. Here are four resolutions you can make for healthier eyes in the next year.
4 Resolutions for Healthy Eyes in the New Year
- Reduce the amount of time you wear contacts
While contact lenses are thinner, more resistant to microbes, and more comfortable than ever, wearing contacts for extended periods can be tough on the eyes. Extended contact use can increase your risk for dry eye, infections, and develop allergic reactions to protein that can build up on your lens. Be sure to ask your eye doctor if you are using the best contact lenses for your needs.
- Wear sunglasses and safety frames
High-quality sunglasses with UV protection and protective glasses with safety frames are two of the best investments you can make this year. UV rays from the sun can cause cataracts and increase your risk of macular degeneration. Exposure to UV light can also increase your risk of rare eye cancers. Protective eyewear can protect your eyes from injuries at the workplace and at home.
- Quit smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do this year for your whole body, including your eyes. Smoking greatly increases your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Exposure to smoke is also hard on your eyes; it can lead to dryness, chronic irritation, and red eyes.
- Schedule your annual eye exam
The beginning of a new year is a great time to schedule your annual eye exam. Yearly checkups help ensure that your eyes are healthy and that your glasses or contacts are providing the right vision correction. The older you get, the more important annual eye exams become, as the risk for many eye diseases increases with age; this is especially true if you have diabetes or another medical condition that puts you at high risk for eye disorders. A routine eye exam also gives your eye doctor a chance to detect eye problems early, when many eye conditions are easiest to treat.
No time to schedule an appointment for later down the road? No problem! EyeCareToday at our Peoria office provides same-day eye care – including routine vision exams – for patients over the age of 5 years.
For more information about keeping your eyes healthier this year, contact Illinois Eye Center.