1. Blood Pressure

There are many reasons to keep an eye (excuse the pun) on your blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can cause the vessels in the eye to thicken, narrow or even burst. This is known as vascular retinopathy and affects the retina which transmits signals to the brain. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure for healthy eyes in the long term.

2. Sinful Smoke

If you smoke then here's another reason to cut back or to avoid starting in the first place. Smoking can increase the risk of optic nerve damage, cataracts and macular degeneration. Just one more reason to stub out those ciggies for good!

3. Eye Checks

Our eyes change as we age and one of the most important things to do for your eyes is to have regular eye examinations. They're pain free and can enable the optician to see any changes in the eye. They may recommend spectacles for reading or driving. It's recommended that you have an eye check every 2 years but if you notice any changes in your vision or you suffer from frequent head aches, be sure to notify your doctor sooner rather than later.

4. Computer Breaks

Staring at the computer for hours every day is not going to help your eyes so if you do have a job that involves a lot of screen-staring time, ensure you have regular breaks. Staring at the computer screen for hours is going to mean that you're not blinking enough and this can make the eyes dry, which can lead to infection. Also, invest in an anti-glare screen for your monitor.

5. Eye Protection

We protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun by wearing sun screen but we also need to ensure that we protect our eyes. Invest in a good pair of sun glasses to protect your peepers from the harmful rays of the sun. Also, when doing a spot of DIY in the home, be sure to wear protective goggles, no matter how small the job.

6. Food for Eyes

There are foods that can help the eyes to function at their optimum levels. We all know that carrots are good for the eyes but there are other foods that can help keep the eyes healthy. These include egg, nuts, beans, oranges and leafy greens such as kale, chard and spinach. Like we needed any more reasons to indulge in these yummy foods!

7. Turn around...Dry Eyes

I know those weren't the lyrics to that fabulous eighties tune but as you age, your eyes lose their natural moisture. This is actually quite serious as dry eyes can damage the eye and lead to infection. There are some things that can exacerbate dry eyes such as central heating, staring at the computer screen for hours, spicy foods, contact lenses and smoking. Keep your eyes moist by avoiding these things, using eye drops and increasing your omega 3, 6 and 9 intake.

These are some of the main ways to look after your eyes. Can you think of any more eye-health essentials?

Sources: webmd.com
nei.nih.gov
health.com