Did you know that August is National Eye Exam month? We're celebrating with a round-up on tips on how to take care of your eyes--all year long. 

What's the best way to protect my eyesight? 

• Take care of the rest of your body. Good nutrition and plenty of sleep are some of the best ways to take care of your eyes. Leafy greens and proteins high in omega-3's (think fatty fish like salmon and tuna) provide helpful nutrients that are good for eye health.  
• Wear sunglasses on bright days. Harsh sunlight is one of the leading contributors to eyesight issues. Make sure you're wearing sunglasses on bright days, especially if you'll be around reflective surfaces, like water, snow, or metal. (You can shop our favorites here!) 
• Get regular exercise. The health benefits of exercise speak for themselves. Plus, regular exercise helps prevent diseases that are linked to eyesight issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. 
• Wear safety gear on the job. Power tool users, we're talking to you! If you'll be around smoke, steam, sparks, or flying wood chips and metal shavings, stock up on top-quality safety gear to keep your eyes safe (like Bomber Safety Eyewear). Safety gear is also a must for high-intensity sports, DIY projects at home, and work in labs or factories! 
• Quit smoking. Smoking has been linked to macular degeneration and cataracts, two common medical conditions that can damage your eyesight. Plus, smoking cigarettes can actually cause damage to your optic nerve, resulting in degenerative eyesight issues over time. 
• Check in with your family's medical history. Are you at higher risk of developing eye diseases? By examining your family's medical history, you can get a better idea of your risk factors, especially as the hereditary factors tie in with lifestyle factors like obesity and hypertension. If you're not sure, chat with your doctor! 
• Prevent eye infections with proper contact use. If you wear contacts, avoid eye infections by practicing good contact hygiene. This includes taking them out when you sleep, washing your hands before inserting or removing your lenses, and properly cleaning and replacing your contacts whenever needed. 
• Rest your eyes often. Are you working from home? If you spend your workday seated in front of a computer screen, take frequent breaks to rest your eyes. Slow blinking and excessive screen use can make your eyes very tired, leaving to eye strain after a while. As a general rule, for every 20 minutes you spend in front of a screen, look about 20 feet in front of you for about 20 seconds.  
• Try out blue light glasses. More on sitting in front of screens -- if you work in front of a computer, play a lot of video games, or watch a lot of TV, blue light glasses are a great way to protect your eyesight. Blue light from mobile devices can interfere with the body's natural circadian rhythm, and trick it into thinking it's still daytime long after the sun has gone down. Similarly, digital eyestrain is a major problem produced by over-exposure to blue light from devices. If your daily routine involves a lot of screens, give our Blue Light Collection a try! 
• Get your vision tested once a year! We can't forget National Eye Exam Month! The rule of thumb for vision tests is to get your eyes looked at at least once a year. Most insurance companies allow for new vision tests that often, and you can invest in prescription sunglasses or safety gear as soon as you have a new prescription. 

While you're taking care of your eyesight, don't forget to stock up on Bomber shades and safety gear. And if you haven't heard, we just rolled out text alerts to send you the latest on sales, new products, back-in-stock announcements, and more! Sign up for text alerts today and we'll send you a coupon for 10% off your next order. 

You can sign up for texts by clicking here or texting JOIN to (201) 379-6619.