Did you know that there are some lifestyle changes that you can make that can help protect the health of your eyes? There are a number of health problems that may cause vision deterioration, and some people may even be genetically predisposed to vision problems. However, there are many people who damage their eyes as a result of poor lifestyle choices. The following suggestions can be implemented by most people and could result in healthier eyes. 

Nutrition

Eating certain foods can aid in promoting healthier eyes. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and brussels sprouts are good choices. If you enjoy seeds and nuts, then sunflower seeds and almonds are good for eye health. The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes and carrots makes them good options. Fruit lovers can indulge on berries and citrus fruit to help their eyes. Black-eyed peas have a well fitting name considering that they are also a good nutritional choice for Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyes. 

Smoking

It is ideal to stop smoking if you are a smoker. This is because this habit has been linked to certain debilitating eye conditions. Examples of eye conditions you may be more likely to get as a result of smoking are macular degeneration and cataracts. Pregnant mothers may also put their babies' eyes at risk if they smoke during pregnancy. Strabismus or childhood blindness are serious eye conditions that could occur in babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy. 

Eye Protection

Perhaps you are a person who does not fully realize the way environmental factors such as the sun's rays can damage eyesight. Protect your eyes when you are outdoors by wearing sunglasses. You should also ensure that you wear protective glasses if you work in an environment that could put your eyes at risk. For example, if you spend many hours working at a computer, invest in computer glasses to protect your eyes against straining, and wear safety glasses at all times if you work in an environment that has flying debris. This would also apply if you do your own yard work because small particles could fly into your eyes while you are performing your outdoor chores.

An eye doctor is a good resource to use for more suggestions on protecting your eyes and vision. They can screen you to determine if you are at risk for eye problems due to work conditions, your health or family history. Contact a business, such as Midwest Eye Care PC, for more information.