The end of the year is a natural time for reflection and making resolutions. While fitness and finance often top the list, why not give your vision health a head start? The simple habits you adopt now can drastically improve your comfort and long-term sight in the coming year.

The team at Southwest Eye Care encourages you to implement these three easy-to-adopt vision habits right away:

3 Simple Habits for Better Eye Health

Implement the 20-20-20 Rule Religiously: This is the single best way to combat digital eye strain. When working on a screen, every 20 minutes, look away at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This allows the focusing muscles inside your eyes to relax and helps prevent dryness and fatigue.
Hydrate Your Eyes and Body: Dry eyes are a problem year-round, but indoor heating in winter makes them worse. Drink plenty of water to maintain overall bodily hydration, which supports tear production. For immediate surface relief, keep a bottle of lubricating eye drops handy and use them proactively, not just when your eyes feel scratchy.
Prioritize UV Protection (Yes, Even Now): UV rays are a threat every day of the year and contribute to serious long-term issues like cataracts and macular degeneration.

The Best Habit of All: Your Annual Exam

Before the new year rush begins, ensure you have one crucial appointment scheduled: your comprehensive annual eye exam. This exam does more than update your prescription; it screens for silent, sight-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often using year-end benefits before they expire.

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