Eye and vision disorders affect both men and women, but some eye problems may be more common in men. In 2020, 42.27 percent of males and 57.73 percent of women used an optometrist service. For the past ten years, this figure has been continuously decreasing. It demonstrates that males continue to ignore their eye health at the expense of their overall health. According to the latest Medicare data on the use of optometry services by age from 2013 to 2020, men are less likely than women to pay attention to their eye health.

Men’s Health Month is observed every June. It’s a wonderful time for the men to pay attention to their health, which includes their vision. Men can keep their eyes healthy and preserve good eyesight by following the steps outlined below.

• Get your eyes tested regularly

Regular eye exams are the first step in safeguarding your vision. You should have an eye exam every two years or whenever you notice changes in your vision.

• Quit smoking

Men are more likely than women to use tobacco products, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Smoking raises your chances of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. If you smoke, speak with your doctor about quitting.

Heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes a day) almost double their odds of developing cataracts, according to studies. Smoking accelerates the aging process, particularly around the eyes. Nicotine causes the blood vessels in the top layer of your skin to constrict, disrupting blood flow and causing wrinkles and dark circles around your eyes.

• Protect your eyes from UV Radiation

We all like a sunny day, but when the temperature rises, we must remember to protect our eyes from harmful UV radiation and glare from reflective surfaces. While many contact lenses now include UV filters, this is insufficient to fully protect your eyes from the sun, therefore you must also wear sunglasses.

Spending too much time in the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer and cataracts around your eyes. To avoid skin damage, use sunscreen. Even on cloudy days, use sunscreen because the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. When you’re out in the sun, consider wearing a hat for further UV protection.

• Keep your eyes safe

When playing sports like hockey or baseball, wear suitable eye protection to avoid eye damage. When practicing some tasks that can cause eye injuries, such as woodworking or using tools, wear protective eyewear.

• Get enough of the essential vitamins

Apart from wearing sunglasses or safety glasses to protect their eyes, men can improve their vision by eating healthy foods such as fish, nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, berries, and citrus fruits, which are high in vitamins A and C and omega-3 fatty acids.

Red peppers, tomatoes, oranges, spinach, broccoli, carrots, and strawberries are all good suppliers of essential nutrients. Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards, are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that aids in the prevention of age-related vision loss.

• Exercise regularly

We all know that exercise is important for your general health, but remaining physically active can also help you keep your vision in good shape. A study of 15,000 participants indicated that those who were physically active had less eyesight loss than those who did not exercise, according to John Hopkins Medicine. So, guys, put on your sports shoes and try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

• Keep a healthy weight

Being overweight raises your risk of developing a variety of health problems, including diabetes. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop certain eye disorders. That’s not all, though. Obesity has been linked to a higher incidence of cataracts and glaucoma.

• Take care of chronic illnesses

Even though most individuals dislike going to the doctor, men appear to dislike it even more than women. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 72 percent of men over the age of 18 would rather do duties like cleaning the bathroom than go to the doctor, according to a survey.

This aversion to seeing a doctor may increase their risk of ailments like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. A chronic health condition can raise your chance of eye issues in the future, but detecting and treating chronic health concerns can reduce your risk.

• Get enough sleep

A sufficient amount of sleep allows the body to repair, rest, and recuperate. Your eyes, too, require rest. Sleep deprivation can cause your eyes to become red and irritated, as well as inflamed. Each night, try to obtain between seven and nine hours of sleep.

• Keep your eyes away from screens

Long periods spent in front of a screen can cause dry eyes. When you’re concentrating on a computer screen, you’re less likely to blink, which means your eyes aren’t getting enough moisture.

Dehydration and excessive air conditioning in workplace situations can also cause dry eyes. If you work in a huge office, you may not be able to adjust the air conditioning, but you may drink more water and keep your body as hydrated as possible. You can also use eye drops to refill the moisture in your eyes.

If you spend hours upon hours staring at a computer screen, give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.