In January Let’s Focus on Vision & Eye Health

In January, the Wellness Committee would like you to focus on vision and eye health—because caring for your eyes goes beyond your annual eye exam. Supporting healthy vision also means paying attention to your diet, staying active, quitting smoking, protecting your eyes from harmful light, and practicing good eye hygiene.

Below are helpful tips to keep your eyes healthy all year long.

Nutrition for Eye Health

Eating well supports better vision. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E may help reduce the risk of age-related eye conditions, including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Exercise for Healthy Eyes

General Exercise

Regular physical activity improves blood flow and delivers essential nutrients throughout your body—including your eyes. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce inflammation, which may help lower the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

Eye Exercises

Simple eye exercises can help reduce strain, improve flexibility, and strengthen eye muscles—especially for those who spend time on screens.

• The 20-20-20 Rule:
  Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Blink Break:
  Screen use can reduce blinking. If your eyes feel dry or tired, pause and blink normally for a few moments.
• Palming for Relaxation:
  Gently cup your palms over your closed eyes until all the afterimages fade to black, about 30 seconds. Make sure not to put any pressure on your eyes.
• Figure Eight:
  Imagine a big number 8 turned on its side about 10 feet in front of you. Slowly sketch it with your eyes several times. Then reverse direction.
• Eye Rolls:
  Without moving your head, look left and right several times, then up and down.
• Near and Far Focus:
  This is good for people who wear glasses. Remove your glasses and hold your thumbs in the air, one near your face and one farther away. For 2 seconds each, focus on the near thumb, then focus on the far thumb or something across the room.

Smoking Cessation

Quit smoking to protect your vision. Tobacco use increases your risk for cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration.

Eye Protection

• Wear Sunglasses:
  Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Use Safety Eyewear:
  Safety glasses or goggles are essential when working with hazardous materials or in environments where eye injuries may occur.
• Limit Blue Light Exposure:
  Prolonged exposure to blue light may contribute to eye strain and increase the risk of long-term eye conditions.

Eye Hygiene

Practicing good eye hygiene helps prevent irritation and infection. Wash your hands regularly, avoid sharing towels, remove makeup before bed, and properly care for contact lenses.

January’s Giveaway

To support your eye health goals, we’re giving away warming eye masks and eyeglass cleaning kits.

• Eyeglass cleaning kits help keep lenses clear, supporting comfortable vision and reducing eye strain as we start the new year!