Up until recently, my script for eyeglasses has gotten stronger and stronger, and according to my optometrist, this is normal, especially after you reach 40! Which is why I have switched to wearing contact lenses to avoid those heavy glasses. Especially with the wide variety of contact lenses online, you need not wear those glasses ever.  

You must look after your eyes from an early age. Even if you wear contact lenses or glasses, your eyes still need a lot of care to ensure that you see your best, and to prevent any serious eye problems in the future.

So, without wasting any time, find below a few tips to keep your eye healthy even if you wear contact lenses.

Eat for your eyes

According to WebMD, good eye health starts with a diet full of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E. Fill your plate with things such as green leafy veggies, oily fish such as salmon, eggs, nuts, beans, oranges and other citrus fruits.  

Remember how we were always told to eat carrots? According to Healthline, carrots are a great source of beta carotene and lutein, which are antioxidants that can help prevent eye damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals can lead to cellular damage, ageing, and chronic illnesses, including eye diseases.

Wear sunglasses

Too much UV exposure puts you at risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Sunglasses are recommended when you’re outside. Try to opt for sunnies that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays. 

Use screens smartly

Even if you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should:

• Take regular breaks (every 20 minutes) from your laptop, phone and tablet screens. Staring at a screen for too long can cause dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain and trouble focusing at a distance. 
• Also, every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscle of your eye to reduce fatigue.
• Try to avoid glare from windows and lights, and ensure that your contact lenses are up to date. 
• Blink more often to avoid dryness as blinking moisturises eyes. At times, we’re so busy staring at a screen that we forget to blink.
• Adjust the brightness of your display so that it is the same as the brightness of your workstation.

Wear eye safety gear

Whether you’re swimming, gardening or doing a DIY project, ensure you’re wearing the right equipment to protect your eyes from the likes of chlorine, dust and bacteria. The best possible way to avoid such situations is to wear contact lenses. 

Other than these tips mentioned above, you should also visit your eye doctor at least once in six months. If you have kids, take them along with you to keep their eyes healthy at an early stage. Kids at any age can wear glasses, but it is highly recommended that teenagers from around the age of 16 can start wearing contact lenses.

One can easily buy them online from websites such as Eyesupply, which is perhaps the best platform for contact lenses in South Africa. It offers amazing options in lenses and it’s accessories. The platform’s home-delivery feature can come in handy for people who do not have the time to physically visit a store.