10 Ways to Give Your Eyes Some Love This Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the time to express your love and appreciation to those you care about most. But it's also a great opportunity to take the time to pamper yourself — so why not start with your eyes?

10 Healthy Eye Habits for Valentine's Day

1. Be Mindful of the Food You Eat. Fill your plate with fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Foods high in vitamins A, C, E, Omega-3, lutein, and zeaxanthin are especially beneficial for promoting eye health.
2. Drink Plenty of Water. Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day will keep your body hydrated and your eyes moist — essential for preventing dry eye syndrome.
3. Exercise Regularly. Studies show exercise can lower your risk of serious eye conditions. Cardio exercise in particular has been shown to lower eye pressure and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.
4. Don't Smoke. Smoking significantly raises your risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
5. Practice Good Makeup Hygiene. Clean your brushes regularly, toss any expired products, only apply makeup to the outer margin of your eyelids, and remove your makeup before going to bed.
6. Wear Sunglasses. Studies show that prolonged UV exposure can damage the eyes and lead to serious sight-threatening conditions. Purchase sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
7. Prevent Eye Injuries. About 90% of vision loss from eye injuries can be prevented by wearing the right eye protection. Use safety glasses or goggles when playing sports or doing DIY projects.
8. Learn First Aid for Eye Injuries. Knowing what to do in an unexpected eye injury can potentially save permanent eye damage or vision loss.
9. Avoid Digital Eye Strain. Limit screen time as much as possible, and practice the 20-20-20 rule: set a reminder to take breaks every 20 minutes to focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
10. Visit Your Eye Doctor. Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining eye health. They can identify early signs of sight-threatening conditions, enabling earlier treatment.

From all of us at St. Clairsville Eyecare in St. Clairsville, we wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! Call (740) 695-0444.