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As we stand at the beginning of 2025, it’s natural to reflect on our health priorities. While many resolutions focus on fitness and nutrition, our vision – perhaps our most precious sense – often gets overlooked. Yet vision is a crucial sense that impacts every aspect of our daily lives from workspace productivity to safe driving, to enjoying quality time with our loved ones.
Dr. Dirk Massie, owner of Performance Eyecare and recent guest on Studio STL’s “Ask the Expert,” shares a comprehensive approach to eye care that addresses modern challenges while maintaining long-term ocular health. Let’s explore how we can protect our vision in the year ahead with these actionable resolutions:
1. Combat Winter Dry Eyes
Winter’s effects on our eyes are like what happens to our skin during the cold months – the environment pulls moisture away, leaving our eyes feeling uncomfortable and irritated. Your eyes’ tear film needs proper hydration from the inside out. Aim for about 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Winter air and indoor heating can be harsh on your eyes. Dr. Massie advises being strategic about ventilation placements. Adjust ceiling fans, car vents, and other indoor vents to avoid airflow directly on your face, which can exacerbate dryness. Consider using a humidifier to improve your indoor air quality for dry environments.
2. Limit Technology-Related Eye Strain
As our screen time continues to rise, so does the strain on our eyes. Think of your eye muscles like any other muscle in your body – they need breaks to prevent fatigue and strain. Take regular breaks from your device by using the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple practice acts like a mini workout for your eyes, allowing them to shift from their locked “near focus” position to a more relaxed state. And during screentime, don’t forget to practice full blinks that will help maintain proper eye lubrication, especially when wearing contact lenses.
For extended screen use, Performance Eyecare carries blue-light-blocking lenses to help combat the impact of blue light on your vision. Dr. Massie also recommends limiting screen use in the hours before bedtime to prevent insomnia.
3. Wear Quality Sunglasses
UV protection isn’t just for summer. Every season requires UV protection against harmful rays. High-quality sunglasses safeguard your eyes from the sun, and they create a protective barrier against winter winds. For extra protection, explore safety prescription sunglasses from Performance Eyecare that combine UV protection with impact resistance—ideal for intensive work, construction work or outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.
4. Adopt a Holistic Eye Care Routine
Let’s also maintain a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced diet that includes essential nutrients and vitamins is not only beneficial for our overall health but also for our eyes. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E can help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and other eye conditions. Protective antioxidant shields can be found in colorful fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, flaxseeds, walnuts, and fish.
Some common habits can unknowingly damage your eyes. Rubbing your eyes, though tempting when they’re tired or itchy, can damage the delicate blood vessels and potentially transfer harmful bacteria. Instead, if your eyes are irritated, try closing them gently for a few moments or using artificial tears.
5. Commit to Annual Eye Exams
“A lot of eye conditions don’t hurt. They may not be impacting your vision yet but getting your annual eye exam helps uncover future issues,” shares Dr. Massie. Regular check-ups ensure early detection of conditions that could affect your vision later in life. And at Performance Eyecare, we offer the no-puff eye exam, so you don’t have to be anxious about scheduling!
Let 2025 be the year you invest in your eye health. By incorporating these protective measures, nutritional choices, and gentle handling practices into your daily routine, you create a strong foundation for long-term eye health. Schedule your annual eye exam with Performance Eyecare and explore personalized solutions for your ocular needs. Your eyes will thank you!
At Performance Eyecare we put the CARE in Eyecare.