4 best practices to care for your eyes

(NC) Our eyes are constantly at work, whether it’s the strain from looking at glowing screens, squinting from the sun, or drying out from indoor air vents. Unfortunately, eye health often gets overlooked in our daily routines. However, there are effective habits that can help protect your eyes at any stage of life. 

Make sure you’re eating well. A diet rich in vitamins A and C can help your eye health. Your body uses vitamin A to help build the rod cells in the retina that make it easier to see in low light. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help protect against cell damage. These nutrients can be found in carrots, leafy greens, citrus fruits and sweet potatoes. 

Take it easy on your eyes. Staring at computers and phones for hours can lead to tired, blurry eyes and headaches. Your eyes have to work harder to read text on a screen, especially if you’re viewing it from the wrong angle, or in poor lighting.  

To give your eyes a break, try the 20-20-20 trick: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, consider using blue light glasses or adjusting your screen settings to reduce harsh glare. 

Keep your eyes protected. From a day at the beach to working on a new DIY project, protective eyewear is a simple but important way to keep your eyes and vision safe. Sunglasses with UV protection help prevent long-term sun damage, while safety goggles are crucial for shielding your eyes from potential injury when working with tools and chemicals, or during high-impact activities. 

Get your eyes checked regularly. Regular, preventative eye exams should be part of everyone’s health routine. Even if your vision seems fine, checkups help catch conditions like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  

Early detection means better outcomes and fewer disruptions to your daily life. Canada’s population is aging rapidly, and AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting nearly 2.5 million Canadians. Dry AMD is the most common form of the disease, making up 85–90 per cent of cases. 

There's a treatment option available for the condition: MacuMira is the first medical device approved by Health Canada to address it, and which has been shown to reverse some of its effects on eyesight. It’s currently the only treatment available, and one way to support your long-term retinal health and maintain vision.  

Supporting your eye health doesn’t require major changes. Small, consistent steps can make all the difference. From smart screen habits and nutrition to regular checkups, taking care of your eyes today can help you maintain clear, healthy vision for years to come.  

Learn more at macumira.com.