There’s an idiom that says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or, for those of us with the metric system, I suppose we could say one gram of prevention is worth one kilogram of cure. So what’s our small measurement of prevention? Well, with so much screen time these days, here are five tips to maintain good eye health:
- Annual eye exams to catch any concerns early.
- Protect your eyes. Depending on your environment, this may include wearing safety glasses, or if you are out in the sun, getting a decent pair of UV-A/UV-B protective sunglasses to prevent cataracts and damage to the retina.
- Remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Feed your eyes! Leafy greens like kale and spinach, eggs, foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids — and let’s not forget goji berries!
Goji berries, cute red berries that resemble small, oblong raisins when dried, can help with dry eyes, retinal support, and protect against macular degeneration (AMD). Why? Goji berries increase Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). These pigments are like internal sunscreen for our eyes, helping filter out blue light and protect the macular from oxidative stress and aging.
Goji berries are also amazing at protecting cells that, if they deteriorate, can lead to glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
If I may go on about goji berries – new research suggests the anti-inflammatory properties from the extracts in these berries can help stabilize the tear film, which helps with dry eyes. - Be mindful of environmental factors. Balanced level of humidity and proper lighting can help reduce eye strain.
So if we can stretch the idiom from the outset, perhaps we can say an ounce of goji berries is worth a pound of good eye health!
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