The CDC reccommends the following to keep your eye healthy: 

  1. Get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams.
  2. Know your family's eye health history. It's important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since some are hereditary.
  3. Eat right to protect your sight. In particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, trout, and sardines. Nuts and seeds such as wallnuts, soya, flaxseeds are also rich in omega 3. 
  4. Maintain a healthy weight.
  5. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs.
  6. Quit smoking or never start.
  7. Wear sunglasses when you need to block at least 99% of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
  8. Wash your hands before taking out your contacts and clean your contact lenses properly to avoid infection.
  9. Practice workplace eye safety. This includes use of protective gear when there is risk of: IR or UV radiation or chemical splashes; protective wear against projectiles such as dust or concrete material; protective wear against blood borne pathogens.

NOTE: Beware of the "Computer Vision Syndrome" which is commonly known as the Digital Eye Strain- a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, cell phone, and electronic reader use.This can be managed by reducing the amount of screen time, adjusting the screen contrast or using protective glasses while on screen.

The common eye conditions can cause vision loss and even blindness. They include: 

●Cataracts: clouding of the eye.

●Diabetic retinopathy: leads to damage of the blood vessels in the back of the eye. 

●Glaucoma: optic nerve damage  resulting  from inceased presure on the eye.

●Age-related macular degeneration, which gradually affects central vision.

Conditions such as refractive errors  happen when the shape of your eye doesn't bend light correctly, and can be rectified commonly with glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery.

You should have your eye examined every  1 to 2 years if you are over the age of 60 or you have a family history of glaucoma.

People living with diabetes or hypertension should also have regular eye checks. 

Children should have eye checks to help identify any eye problems early enough.

Alway be alert to the following signs:

  • Decreased vision.
  • Eye pain.
  • Drainage or redness of the eye.
  • Double vision.
  • Floaters (tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes).
  • When you see Circles (halos) around light sources.
  • When you see Flashes of light.

Consult your physician as soon as you start experiencing any of these signs.