Want to keep your eyes working well for years? Good news: small daily habits make a big difference. This page gives clear, useful steps you can use today to prevent common problems and spot trouble early.
Start with regular eye exams. A comprehensive exam can find issues before you notice symptoms. Ask for tests that check eye pressure and the optic nerve if you have family history of glaucoma or other risks.
Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that block 100% UV rays whenever you’re outside. UV damage builds up over time and raises the chance of cataracts and other problems.
Watch screen time. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That eases eye strain and dryness. If your eyes feel gritty, try preservative-free artificial tears.
Choose foods that help vision. Leafy greens, eggs, and fish with omega-3s support the retina. These foods don’t cure eye disease, but they support eye health as part of a balanced diet.
Not every problem is urgent, but some signs need immediate care. Get help right away for sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a curtain over part of your vision, or intense eye pain. These can be signs of retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or severe infection.
Other symptoms to watch for: ongoing blurred vision, halos around lights, increased floaters, persistent redness, or pain when moving the eye. Don’t wait for perfect vision — if something feels off, call your eye doctor.
One connection worth noting: inflammation inside the eye, called uveitis, can harm the eye’s drainage system and raise the risk of open-angle glaucoma. I came across recent research showing that when uveitis damages the drainage, eye pressure can climb and lead to long-term damage. So if you have uveitis, work closely with your doctor to manage inflammation and monitor pressure.
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, follow the treatment plan closely. Eye drops and other therapies lower pressure and slow damage. Skipping doses or appointments lets damage continue without obvious symptoms until vision is lost.
Manage overall health too. Keep diabetes and high blood pressure under control, don’t smoke, and maintain a healthy weight. These steps lower the risk of diabetic eye disease, vascular problems, and other vision threats.
Finally, know your family history. If relatives had glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal problems, tell your eye doctor. They may suggest more frequent checkups or specific tests.
Small changes today—sunscreen for your eyes, regular exams, smart screen habits, and quick action on warning signs—go a long way toward keeping your vision clear. If you want, check our articles on glaucoma, uveitis, and common eye tests to learn more about specific conditions and treatments.
In one of my recent researches, I came across a fascinating connection between open-angle glaucoma and uveitis. It turns out that the inflammation caused by uveitis can increase the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma. This is mainly due to the damage it causes to the drainage system within our eyes, leading to increased ocular pressure. As a result, early detection and proper management of uveitis are crucial in preventing the onset of open-angle glaucoma. I believe that understanding this connection can help us take better care of our eye health and prevent vision loss in the future.