5 Fun, Simple Ways to Safeguard Your Sight, Research Shows
Spring is full of visual delights. With sunny skies, colorful flowers, and vibrant green trees, it’s no wonder that we rejoice when the weather gets warm! But what if you begin to lose out on the experience because of vision loss?
Maybe spring beauty and the fear of losing out is why protecting our eyes feels more important than ever. Luckily, these tricks may help ward off common causes of vision loss.
Rhubarb and lemon may help prevent cataracts.
Savor a dish made with rhubarb or lemon (or any fruit with plenty of vitamin C)! Tufts University research found that vitamin C supplementation reduced the incidence of cataracts by 57 percent.
The abundance of vitamin C in these spring treats prevents fluid in the eyes from oxidizing and clouding vision. Bonus: Research shows that people with adequate amounts of vitamin C in their systems burn 30 percent more fat during moderate exercise than those who are deficient!
Prevent glaucoma by bargain hunting.
Once a week, stop at Costco or Target and try to spot the best deals. Doing so may cut your odds of glaucoma, or gradual vision loss.
The reason? According to UCLA research, physical activity may reduce your risk by 73 percent. Strolling the aisles boosts physical activity, which lowers high blood pressure that can trigger glaucoma.
Reduce AMD risk with a supplemental gummy.
Taking a daily gummy with lutein and zeaxanthin curbs the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a loss of vision in the center of the eye, says WebMD. The antioxidants nourish the retina to thwart inflammation that can lead to AMD.
Try: MaryRuth’s Eye Care Gummies (Buy from Mary Ruth, $29.95). Also, eat as many green veggies as you like, including spinach, kale, and broccoli!
Drink, drink, drink.
Most of us know about several common symptoms of dehydration: fatigue, headaches, fewer trips to the loo. Another one that you might not have known about? Blurry vision.
It’s true: Sipping a glass of water reverses mild dehydration that can distort the cornea. So, pour a cup!
Prevent dry eye with a massage.
Hormone fluxes can lead to chronically itchy eyes and blurry vision, known as “dry eye.” The fix: Each night, massage your lash line with a cleansing wipe, such as Biotrue Micellar Eyelid Cleansing Wipes (Buy from Bed Bath and Beyond, $14.99), which removes bacteria and irritants that block the lubricating meibomian glands.
Try this Tetris trick.
Playing Tetris or Candy Crush for a few minutes a day boosts contrast sensitivity by up to 58 percent in nine weeks, University of Rochester research found. Fast-paced action trains the brain to process visual information quickly and make things appear more vivid.
Looking for other ways to prevent vision loss? Check out this simple eye exercise you can do daily and this guide to nutrients that may protect your sight.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
