Sure, carrots are great for the old peepers because of the Vitamin A and beta carotene, but there are many other things you should be doing to keep your eyes in check as well. Some of which include:

1. Know your genes. There are many eye conditions that have genetic components, so it is important to know if any run in your family and let your optometrist know so he or she can screen you accordingly and catch anything before it develops. Some genetic eye conditions include juvenile retinoschisis, rod and cone dystrophy, usher syndrome and open-angle glaucoma.
2. Maintain a healthy diet. Aside from a bunny’s favourite food, some other great choices for your eyes are: green leafy veggies like spinach and kale and berries which all contain lutein, one of the best substances for eye health. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also great choices as they help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels and other structures of the eyes. These may include nuts and fatty fish.
3. Watch out for the sun! The sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays can effect the eyes as much as any other part of the body. Not only can your eyes become sunburned, long term UV exposure can also play a part in macular degeneration and cataracts.
4. Wear glasses or goggles when appropriate. If you have prescribed glasses for certain activities like driving or starting at computer screens, get used to wearing them every time you do these activities. It may help reduce strain headaches, blurry vision and eye fatigue. Similarly, be sure to wear protective eyewear if you are doing hobbies that could damage your eyes, such as construction.
5. Avoid cigarettes and lose extra weight. These are two important lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your risk of not only eye disease, but many chronic inflammatory illnesses.
6. Coffee (in moderation) is actually good for your eyes. Two cups of joe a day may help stave off dry eyes, which can be a very aggravating condition. Don’t overdo it though, as too much caffeine can actually contribute to eye irritation as well as many other bodily discomforts!
7. Go for regular eye exams – perhaps the single most important thing you can do is to get regular screenings and eye check ups. Your optometrist will take all the measures to ensure your eyes are healthy, and catch any issues that are beginning to arise. This is of utmost importance since many eye diseases are silent (meaning they don’t show any symptoms until they have progressed to an irreversible point). So go see your eye doc today if you haven’t been there in a while!

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