College is a fun and exciting time in your life, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by many new experiences. However, even amongst all of this novelty, you must maintain your work-life balance as a student, especially regarding aspects of your physical health, like eye wellness.
It’s easy to pick up bad habits that damage your sight, affecting your studying and extracurricular enjoyment. In fact, as of just 2021, a study of students found that nearly 50% develop nearsightedness during college.
As such, here are five ways to care for your eyes in college.
Use blue light glasses when studying.
As a college student, you likely need to use your laptop and phone for various needs, like keeping in touch with classmates or attending online classes. The pitfall is that you’re more exposed to harmful blue light from those screens, which can cause sleep disruption, retinal cell damage, and eye fatigue.
Invest in blue light glasses capable of blocking out harmful blue light and UV rays to safeguard your eyes.
These glasses will offer seamless protection whether wandering the campus or being holed inside with library computers. Some evidence suggests that such glasses can help with focus and productivity. If you already wear glasses, you can easily get blue light lenses with your prescription applied.
Shield your eyes while playing sports.
If you’re an athlete or simply like playing sports with your college friends, you’re vulnerable to injuries like scratches on your eyes’ surface or broken bones near your eye socket.
According to an article from the Canadian Ophthalmology Society, the leading causes of sport-related injuries are well-beloved ones like hockey and baseball, with the racquet sport badminton at the top.
However, the organization notes there is a simple way to guard your eyes: wear protective eye gear, like sports goggles. The eyewear will shield your eyes against 90% of serious eye injuries. For best results, look for an impact-resistant pair, preferably shatter-proof polycarbonate material. With these goggles, you can play your favourite sport with complete assurance of your eye security.
Avoid all-nighters
There’s always something to do in college, and staying up all night at a party or gathering can be tempting to squeeze out every last drop of the experience.
Think twice: not only does pulling an all-nighter decrease your concentration and blanket you in drowsiness the next day, but your body’s physical performance also suffers, including your eyesight.
Sleep deprivation can make your eyes more light-sensitive and prone to twitching and blurring. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious eye diseases like glaucoma. For your alertness and eyes’ sake, getting the recommended nightly sleep of seven to nine hours is best.
Eat for your vision
If you’ve experienced the first-year student 15, you know you have many sumptuous dining options in college on and off campus. When making smart food choices, it’s important to consider your eyesight.
Picking the right foods, like salmon rich in omega-3 fatty acids or leafy greens with the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, is essential in supplying your eyes with the nutrients it needs to maintain your vision. Make sure you consume a healthy diet that keeps your eyes nourished.
Wash your hands continuously
Eye infections can spread fast in college because you live and interact in close quarters with other students. To avoid eye disease and prevent them from disseminating, wash your hands frequently with soap.
This will get rid of the viruses that can attach themselves to your eyes and that of your friends.
Taking the time to maintain your eye health will only accentuate your college experience. Follow the five tips above and give your eyes the care they need.
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