Studies have shown that about 39 million people from around the world are blind and nearly six times that number have some form of vision impairment. Nevertheless, there is no cause for alarm since 80% of eye problems are preventable or even curable. You can know when you have a problem with your eyes if you identify symptoms such as double or blurred vision, fatigue, watery or dry eyes, a burning sensation, eye pain, sensitivity to light, sour neck or shoulders, or headaches. Maintaining healthy eyes will save you from losing your sight. The five simple ways below will be of much help you keep your eyes healthy.

1. Eat Food Rich in Vitamins
   Deficiency of vitamins can weaken retinal function. However, carrots and a variety of leafy green vegetables are rich in vitamins necessary for healthy eyes. Researchers have discovered that people on diets containing vitamins C and E, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and zeaxanthin are less likely to suffer from early and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Additionally, most seafood and nuts are rich in selenium; a substance that is vital for preventing cell damage.
2. Go for Baseline Eye Examination
   Adults above 40-years-old may start experiencing early signs of sickness and changes in vision. Hence, it is recommended that they seek a baseline eye disease screening. Additionally, anyone with a family history or symptoms of eye disease, high blood pressure or diabetes should see an optometrist to determine how often their eyes should be checked. Ensure you visit an experienced optometrist like Dr. Robert L. Evans.
3. Wear Proper Eye Protection
   Every year, approximately 2.5 million eye injuries occur in the United States. Thus, it is advisable to wear proper eye protection to avoid these injuries during sports like baseball and hockey and home activities such as cleaning, gardening, and repairs. Standard protective eyewear approved by ANSI will be adequate for most repair activities. However, sports eye safety should meet the requirements of that game or the governing body’s requirements.
4. Use Contact Lenses Properly
   Follow the instructions concerning the use and care of contact eye lenses carefully if your medical doctor has recommended them for you. Abuse, including sleeping in contact lenses that are not approved for wearing at night, using expired solutions, using water or saliva as a wetting solution, and using disposable lenses beyond doctor prescribed time can lead to severe pain, corneal ulcers and even vision loss.
5. Do Regular Eye Exercise
   Ensure that you follow the 20-20-20 rule to avoid eye strain from working at a computer or doing any work that requires close sight. The rule states that one should look up at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of work. Persistent fatigue can be a sign of various conditions such as presbyopia, eye dryness, or wrongly centered spectacle lenses. See an optometrist to determine the cause of the fatigue and to get proper treatment.
   The process of maintaining healthy eyes requires enough time and patience for better results. Nevertheless, eyes heal quickly compared to other parts of the body. For example, it only takes approximately 48 hours for the eye to restore a corneal scratch. It is recommendable to have a personal optometrist whom you can visit for regular eye examination.