Vision is one of the human body’s most important senses. Like the other senses, most people tend to take eyesight for granted until it’s threatened or compromised. Although the human eyes represent a major feat of evolutionary engineering, they are still rather fragile organs. Take a moment to learn how you can do your eyes a few favors and protect your vision for the length of your lifetime.

Feed Your Eyes

We’ve all heard the old story that carrots can improve our vision. While this might not be directly true, it’s a fact that the eyes need a healthy dosage of certain vitamins and minerals to maintain proper functioning day in and out.

Carrots contain a sizable amount a beta-carotene, a substance that converts to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for good eye health; if you go without it for a long period of time, you’ll experience vision impairment and eventually a disease called xerophthalmia, which is noted by a drying of the cornea due to the absence of tear production.

Other substances that play a crucial role in maintaining healthy eyes are vitamins C, E, folic acid, selenium and zinc. Recently, research has suggested that antioxidant vitamins may play a role in slowing the onset of macular degeneration and cataract formation. The best way to get plenty of these vitamins is by eating a diet rich in fresh leafy green vegetables and fruit.

Regular Check Ups

As with countless other health risks, the best way to fight problems concerning your vision is with regular medical checkups. The minimum amount of time that should pass between eye exams is two years, although one year intervals are even better. If you notice any recurring problems with your vision, you should never hesitate to schedule an exam.

UV Protection

Even though sunglasses are one of the coolest accessories available to mankind, they also serve an important role in keeping your eyes safe in the sun. Just like our skin, our eyes are prone to damage by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When purchasing your next pair of sunglasses, be sure to get a pair that purports to block at least 98 percent of UV rays. Despite common belief, the amount of tint in a pair of sunglasses has nothing to do with the amount of UV rays they block.

UV rays are also a danger on cloudy days, as they are capable of penetrating cloud cover. Medical complications arising from UV damage include cataract formation, pterygiums — scar tissue that affects the white part of the eye — and general vision degeneration. Even if sunglasses are not your cup of tea, their protective effects are well worth the potential fashion faux pas.

Take a Break from the Screen

Computer screens are a ubiquitous part of life today, and the toll they take on our eyes has been well documented for years now. Part of the trouble with focusing for long periods on a bright computer screen is our eyes’ natural tendency to blink far less when we do it. This lack of blinking leads to dry eyes, which leads to the pain you’re likely to feel after a long day in front of a computer.

Another issue with rampant computer use is the constant strain of focusing on small, but very bright words and graphics all day. This can lead to a weakening of the other important focusing muscles in the eyes and, once again, discomfort or even pain.

You can do a few things to combat the ills of the ever-present screens in your life (including PDAs, mp3 players and phones). When working at a computer for long periods, take brief breaks every ten to fifteen minutes to, first, close your eyes for about five seconds and, second, focus on a far away object for a moment.

When working with a computer for long periods, pay attention to the light. Lower your screen’s brightness if possible and choose the soft light of a small lamp coming from the side rather than harsh overhead lights or bright windows to lessen eye strain.

Follow Contact Instructions

Contact lens abuse is a common occurrence in the United States. Many users wear contacts much longer than they should, fail to clean them properly and fail to switch to a new pair as frequently as prescribed. These tendencies are especially prevalent among adolescents and teenagers.

Using your contacts improperly increases the risk of contracting an eye infection or worse. Take your eye care practitioner’s advice and instruction seriously and stick to the proper routine to avoid risk of damage, temporary or permanent.

Vision is one of our most precious and well loved senses. Use a little common sense of your own and follow these simple steps to keep your eyes in excellent shape for many years to come.