You only have one set of eyes. That's an obvious point, but it's important to remind yourself from time to time about proper eye care. If you want to maintain your current vision or at least protect yourself from eye-related health problems as you age, you'll need to take an active approach. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to maintain your healthy eyesight for many years to come.

1. Sunglasses Aren't Just for Driving

Many people wear a pair of sunglasses when they get behind the wheel of a car in order to help them see the road better on a sunny day. While that's a good idea, there's no reason why you can't keep wearing the sunglasses every time you go outside for an extended period. The sun's UV rays don't shine down on you just when you are on the highway, in other words. Next time you head to a picnic, ball game, or really any outdoor activity, don't forget to take your sunglasses with you.

For best results, reach out to an eye care professional who can recommend glasses that will provide as much protection from UV rays as possible.

2. Don't Delay Your Eye Checkup

Most eye doctors will tell you that an eye checkup is a good idea about once a year. This is often reiterated by the fact that many prescriptions for contact lenses are only good for one year before you will need to renew the prescription with your doctor. It's easy to cheat in this regard though if you order a bunch of daily contact lenses just prior to your prescription expiring. 

Yes, it can be annoying to get to the eye doctor if you have a job, family and other things to do. But what's one morning or afternoon in exchange for a lifetime of healthy eyes? Stop putting off your appointment and schedule your next checkup today.

3. Use Drops While Minimizing Screen Time

Just about everyone stares at a computer or phone screen for many hours throughout the day. Did you know that repeatedly staring at a screen can cause eyestrain, dry eyes and even blurry vision over time? Help lubricate your eyes with some eye drops if you are going to be staring at a screen non-stop during the workday. Better yet, try and pick a few five-minute blocks of time when you can simply close your eyes for a bit and allow yourself a rest.

Contact an eye care office like Battery Park Vision Associates today for more best practices.