Friendly reminder: Remember that eye care is healthcare, and VSP Vision Care—the largest vision benefits company in the U.S.— believes your eyes are the windows to your overall health. VSP has vision care plan options to match your life stage with access to a network of great doctors and quality eyewear.
It’s time to start treating
your eyes the same way you do your skin:
with consistent healthy routines and rituals. But where do you start when you’ve been taking your vision and eye health for granted for so long? We tapped a pro for a little, ahem, *insight* into how to improve the health of your eyes and make lasting changes that’ll benefit you for years to come.
Eye Opening
Expert Tips for Healthier Eyes and Vision
Roberta Fiorito, Senior Editor, PureWow
Meet the Editor
Dr. Danielle Richardson, VSP Network Optometrist
Meet the Expert
Show Your Eyes More Love
Turn them into green flags with one click.
Seeing Red Flags?
Keep Performance at Its Peak
Dr. Richardson’s Healthy Eyes Routine
Look as Good as You Feel
how to
Remember: If you have to work too hard to remove that mascara, you should try a different cleanser. Consider following up with an antimicrobial Hypochlorous Acid lid and lash solution to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation on and around the eyelids to really seal the deal. And don’t underestimate the power of liquid tears.
“It’s important to develop a routine for makeup removal and lubrication that we do as consistently as we use sunscreen,” explains Dr. Richardson. When it comes to removing makeup, use a gentle but effective remover—like hydrating micellar water or a non-comedogenic cleansing oil—to carefully wash the makeup away.
Hormones, medications and makeup can all cause dry eyes and irritation.
Did You Know…
“The best eye vitamins you can take come from eating a healthy diet full of leafy greens, carrots and antioxidant rich foods like berries,” says Dr. Richardson. This applies to your kids too. Suddenly rethinking dinner? We’ve got a few ideas.
Diet and vision are directly correlated.
Did You Know…
That means diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinal detachments could go undetected without a proper eye exam. “You (and your kids!) should be getting annual eye exams. This is the best way to pick up on any diseases and can also identify underlying health conditions. There have also been advancements to slow down childhood nearsightedness,” says Dr. Richardson
There are no pain receptors in the back of the eyes.
Did You Know…
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how to
“I always recommend that patients keep artificial tears near their workspace so they can get in the habit of lubricating their eyes throughout the day,” says Dr. Richardson. “I tell them to think of artificial tears more as lotion or deodorant, something we use consistently, and less like a medication we only use as needed.” And don’t forget the impact digital devices have on our eyes. “I’m often staring at a screen for 12 hours a day or more, so eye health is extremely important to my performance at work and in life. I wear blue light glasses to relieve the visual discomfort I sometimes feel from digital eye strain,” explains PureWow Senior Editor, Roberta Fiorito.
When you stare at a computer, your blink rate decreases, making your eyes drier.
Did You Know…
“If I’m running in bright sunlight, I always opt to wear a hat and sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes. And whether it's pollen, pollutants, or even construction debris, I never leave the house without proper eye protection to avoid running into anything that can be harmful to my eyes and vision,” says Roberta.
It’s important to avoid everyday agitators when exercising outside.
Did You Know…
LEARN MORE ABOUT VSP VISION CARE
yearly
Remember to schedule annual eye exams with a VSP Vision Care network doctor for the whole family.
daily
Lubricate eyes with artificial tears.
monthly
Ensure you’re eating a balanced, nutrient dense
diet that contains dark leafy greens, Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods like salmon and nuts, and antioxidant rich foods like berries.
how to
Fashion is about taking risks and embracing a very unique identity, and I think we’re seeing that show up in really fun ways for eyewear post-pandemic, like colorful frames, mixed metals and a no-holds-barred approach to accessorizing with eyewear,” says PureWow Senior Editor, Roberta Fiorito.
“Round and oval frames dominated the style scene for so long that it’s really refreshing to see squared frames make a comeback this year.
“Being able to put on something ornamental that also helps me function at peak performance is so empowering.
Imagine if our workout leggings helped us run faster! That’s how I feel about good eyewear that’s also stylish and fun,” says Roberta.
“First and foremost: Wear something comfortable. You can’t be confident in eyewear if you’re constantly adjusting ill-fitting specs,” says Roberta. To ensure the best fit possible, keep the following in mind:
Roberta’s Top Style Tip:
“Teach them not to rub their eyes. If you notice your children doing so, there may be allergies and we should treat it with allergy medication or lifestyle changes.” — Dr. Richardson
“Take breaks from screen time. For every 45 minutes on a screen, encourage children to spend 15 minutes doing activities that are distance related, like going outside. This gives their eyes a break.” — Dr. Richardson
Glasses prescriptions over two years old.
Sudden
skin swelling around the eyes while wearing cosmetics.
Eyes that are red, itchy or watery during allergy season.
For a one-stop-shop for all your eyewear needs, click here.
Skipping the eyeliner on your waterline, and forgoing lash serums that contain prostaglandin.
Keeping eyes
lubricated
with artificial
tears throughout
the day.
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Check the bridge placement: The bridge should rest comfortably on your nose without pinching or sliding off.
Glasses with flexible spring hinges will give you greater temple arm comfort (this is great for kids).
Your glasses frame width should line up with your face’s width at the temples.
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Healthy Tips for the Family
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