teens and tweens and contact lensesteens and tweens and contact lenses

There are a number of eye diseases that usually develop in late adulthood. Cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and retinopathy are just a few of these. If you want to avoid these conditions, there are things you can do right now, in your 20s or 30s, to reduce your risk and protect your eyesight. Here's a look.

Make sunglasses your favorite accessory.

From cataracts to ocular cancer, exposure to the UV rays in sunlight increases your risk of just about every eye disorder. Start protecting your eyes with proper sunglasses now. Buy them from your eye doctor so you can be sure they will block UV rays – some knockoff brands may claim this, while their glasses don't truly offer substantial protection. Once you have the right glasses, become one of those people who religiously put them on whenever you go outside. You may even want to buy several pairs to keep in various purses and vehicles so you never get caught without them. No, your windshield does not block UV rays (unless you had it specially coated), so you do need to wear them when driving, too.

Eat your veggies.

A number of nutrients, including vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, help protect you against age-related eye diseases. While various nutrients can be found in different foods, the best way to get a good balance of these nutrients is to do as your mother suggested: eat your veggies. Here are a few easy ways to boost your veggie intake:

• Add a handful of greens to your morning smoothie. It will give it a green look, but you won't taste a thing.
• Add chopped-up veggies like mushrooms and carrots to dishes like fried rice and pasta sauce.
• Keep pre-cut baggies of carrots, celery, and peppers in your fridge so you can grab one on-the-go.

Get your sleep.

Sleep helps build a healthy immune system, and a healthy immune system is important for preventing an array of eye diseases, from Sjogren's syndrome (a condition that causes dry eyes) to cataracts. With the busy lifestyles many people lead today, it's common to forgo sleep. But your vision may suffer later for it! Here are a few tips to help you get more sleep:

• Don't look at a screen for an hour before bedtime. You'll fall asleep sooner, spending less time tossing and turning beforehand.
• Invest in a comfortable mattress so back pain does not keep you up at night.
• Say "no" to activities that you don't really want to participate in so you can spend the time catching up on sleep instead.

For more information on ways to protect your eyes, schedule an eye exam at a location like Bergh-White Opticians, Inc.