More than 4 million Americans over the age of 40 are either legally blind or have partial vision loss. The leading cause of eye disease is old age, but there are other factors that come into play. For example, you can inherit some eye diseases such as glaucoma and retinal degeneration.

Learning how to keep your eyes healthy won’t stop you from developing certain conditions, but it can cut down your risk.

Eating the right foods and keeping your eyes clean are only a few lifestyle changes you can make to live healthier. Check out this guide to learn the ins and outs of caring for your eyes.

1. Eat the Right Foods

The number one secret for healthy eyes is putting the right things on your dinner plate. To keep age-related diseases away, you’ll need to consume foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, lutein, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

Some great options to pick up at the grocery store today are leafy greens, oily fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and oranges. On top of promoting proper eye health, eating better will also reduce your chance of developing (one of the leading causes of blindness) type two diabetes.

2. Stop Smoking

Smoking doesn’t only harm your heart and lungs. It doesn’t do wonders for your eye health either. If you want to prevent yourself from developing macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage, you should put down the cigarettes ASAP.

3. Wear a Protective Shield

No matter what the weather is like outside, you should be sporting a pair of sunglasses. They’ll shield your eyes from cataracts causing UV rays. When shopping around for a pair, make sure that they can block at least 99% of UV rays. For extra protection, invest in sunglasses with wraparound lenses. They’ll protect your eyes from all angles.

For contact lens wearers, there are brands that will shield your eyes from the sun’s rays, but you should wear a pair of sunglasses with them just to be on the safe side. If you work in construction, don’t clock in without putting on a pair of protective goggles. They’re crucial for protecting your eyes from chemical splashes and flying debris.

4. Keep Those Peepers Clean

If you allow your eyes to get infected, you’ll find it difficult to see. When bacteria sets in, it can cause swelling, redness, discharge, itchiness, and burning.

To avoid this, throw away your expired eyeliner and mascara. Consider investing in eye makeup for sensitive eyes. Don’t put in your contacts without washing your hands first. Before going to bed at night, don’t forget to take your contacts out, and don’t shower with them in.

How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Reduce Your Risk for Disease

As you can see, learning how to keep your eyes healthy can reduce your risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye-related diseases.

Caring for your eyes is as simple as changing up your diet, throwing away your old makeup, and investing in sunglasses. For tips that will help you find the right pair of shades for the job, visit the Fashion section of our blog 5elifestyle.