Eyes on fitness: how to protect and maintain healthy vision

Collaborative Post | Exercising regularly and eating well are common ways to live a healthy lifestyle. When we experience any concerning health issues, booking a doctor visit is a top priority. Whilst these factors are crucial for our well-being, one factor that often takes a back seat in our fitness routines—is our vision.
 
As we celebrate the wisdom and vitality of our golden years, remember to heed our sight, one of our most vital senses. We are to experience issues with our eyesight as we get older. Here's how to protect and maintain healthy vision in the long run.

Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash

Don't skip on eye check-ups

Our bodies undergo numerous changes as we age, and our eyes are no exception. The key to maintaining good vision is catching potential issues early. We wouldn't dream of missing our routine physical check-ups. The same should apply to our eyes. Regular eye exams, like regular fitness check-ups, should be a cornerstone of your health routine.
 
An annual visit to your opticians can help detect conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration in their early stages. Moreover, diabetes and high blood pressure, common in our golden years, can also affect our vision. Regular visits to the optometrist can help mitigate these risks.

Update prescription if and when needed

During these regular visits, aside from detecting conditions, they will also look for any changes to your sight. It could be that you need help seeing things at a distance or find it difficult to read the small print. Either way, your visit to the opticians will help to identify how your eyesight has changed and whether or not a new prescription is needed. Updating your prescription is necessary, especially if the optician strongly advises it.
 
Wearing an older prescription can cause you to strain your eyes to see, potentially causing further damage to your eyes. Instead, order a new pair of glasses, or search online for cheap contact lenses in the UK from sites like Lenstore. You can see clearly, without straining your eyes with the right prescription.

Stay hydrated and consume the right nutrients

Nutrition plays a paramount role in eye health, much like overall fitness. Load your plate with colourful fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in eye-friendly antioxidants. Incorporate citrus fruits packed with vitamin C, and remember the powerhouse of vitamin A, carrots. Your eyes will thank you for these nutrient-packed meals.
 
Along with the right nutrients, hydration is also crucial. Hydration is a mantra we swear by, and rightly so. It's just as crucial for our eye health as eating well. Staying adequately hydrated helps you to maintain the tear film's volume, keeping your eyes moist and comfortable, thereby preventing dry eyes.

Balancing your workouts

A well-rounded fitness routine isn't just about high-intensity workouts. Yes, they work your heart pumping and muscles, but balance is essential. High-intensity workouts, if done excessively, can increase intraocular pressure, which could lead to conditions like glaucoma over time.
 
So, while getting your heart pumping is important, remember to balance it with gentler exercises like yoga, Pilates, or a walk in nature. Taking part in any exercise has benefits, but it is about finding the right balance to help you care for your health, including your eyes.

Allow time to rest and recover

Lastly, let's talk about an essential aspect of our fitness regime: rest. After a good workout that leaves us feeling stronger, we often allow ourselves a chance to cool down before we rest and recover for our next session. Our eyes also need time to recover.
 
Just as our body requires good sleep to rejuvenate, so do our eyes. Adequate sleep ensures your eyes are well-rested and refreshed each day. If you've been skimping on sleep, it's time to rethink.

Limiting your screen time

In our tech-dominated world, screens are an integral part of our lives. You might be a fan of one of the many gadgets designed to help you track your fitness progress. Whilst they are fantastic tools, prolonged screen time can strain our eyes, leading to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.
 
The blue light these devices emit can strain your eyes, which is why the 20-20-20 rule is handy. Every 20 minutes, take a break to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also, adjust your screen brightness, increase the text size, and use blue light glasses to reduce the strain.

Cleaning eyes properly

Proper eye hygiene is crucial for preventing eye conditions, cysts and chalazion (meibomian cysts) and maintaining overall ocular health. Even though a meibomian cyst treatment is generally simple, it is always good to prevent their appearance to avoid further complications.

To clean your eyes effectively, wash your hands thoroughly and use a clean, lint-free cloth or sterile cotton pad soaked in warm water to gently wipe your eyelids and eyelashes. Avoid rubbing or applying excessive pressure, as this can irritate the eyes. Also, make sure you always remove your makeup before sleeping and don't share eye cosmetics.​

Try red light therapy for eyes

Enhance your eye health with red light therapy for eyes! This cutting-edge treatment can help alleviate dry eyes, reduce inflammation, and improve visual acuity by boosting cellular function and blood circulation in the eyes. Its a non-invasive way to enhance your eye health.
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Ageing gracefully isn't just about maintaining a fit physique. It's about holistic health and well-being. So, let's put our 'Eyes on Fitness' and ensure we look after our vision just as much as our heart, muscles, and mind. After all, we want to continue seeing the beautiful world around us clearly and comfortably in all our fabulous years to come!


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.
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