Lasik is life-changing. After years, if not decades, of stumbling around your home every morning trying to find your glasses or a fresh set of contacts, it’s going to feel strange waking up to clear vision every morning. That doesn’t mean you can afford to take it for granted. Your results from iDesign Lasik in Orange County need to be protected. So let’s look at how to boost your lifestyle after Lasik.
How to Boost Your Lifestyle After Lasik
In order to do this, you might consider adopting a healthy lifestyle that promotes the health of your eyes. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to manage with light exercise, and a reasonable diet if you’re willing to kick a few bad habits to the curb.
Kick the Bad Habits
Moderation is key to most things, but certain substances can prove more harmful to our bodies than others. Drinking and smoking both actively harm your eyes. You will want to do your best to decrease your intake or eradicate it entirely. Some people have to do it all at once, while others have to wean themselves off gradually. If you’re struggling to quit or reduce your intake, talk to your doctor about local support programs.
Wear Your Shades
UV light is directly harmful to your eyes, so you need to take preventative steps to ensure you’re protected. This habit can be difficult for some patients who want to be totally free of carrying glasses around, but it’s a habit worth forming. If you keep finding yourself out of the house without a pair of shades, try purchasing a few affordable pairs and stashing them in different places to ensure you’re more likely to have some on you as needed.
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C are all crucial to maintaining your eye health throughout your life. If you’re hoping to keep your improved vision well into old age, then you might want to stock up on leafy greens, antioxidant-rich berries, and fatty fish like salmon. For the times where your diet is less than perfect, it may be beneficial to keep a dietary supplement in your bathroom cabinet.
Exercise a Few Times per Week
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week for adults to maintain relative health. That’s just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times per week to help keep your body healthy by providing better circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
Be Careful with Screen Time
Endless screen time isn’t just bad for small children. The harsh light emitted by our devices can strain your eyes, causing problems over time. To help counter this effect, it’s best to limit screen time when you can. If you can’t because you work long shifts using a computer, then remember the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes look at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds. This gives your eyes a few moments to rest and readjust.
Practice Sleep Hygiene
Sleep is key to so many aspects of health, and your eyes are no different. To promote better sleep, try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. You might also consider not doing other activities in bed and keeping screens out of the bedroom. If you’re still struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep a melatonin supplement may work for you. If there’s no change, then talk to your doctor.
Whole Body Health and Your Eyes
Your eyes are like any other part of your body. Practicing generally healthy habits will only improve your body’s ability to care for and maintain your eyes as you age. Of course, there will be things that crop up regardless, but as long as you stay in contact with your Orange County eye surgeon you can treat them as they come up without delay.