Our eyes are one of the most important parts of our body, responsible for providing us with vision and allowing us to interact with the world around us. Around 90% of the information we receive every day comes to us through our eyes. That's why it's essential that we take proper care of them in order to maintain their health and prevent possible vision problems.

Here are some important precautions to take with your eyes:

Have regular check-ups. It is important to have regular eye examinations with an eye doctor, even if you have no apparent vision problems. Examinations help to detect problems early, before they can worsen and cause more serious damage.

Keep contact lenses clean. If you wear contact lenses, it's important to keep them clean and follow the instructions for use and care provided by the manufacturer. Poor hygiene can increase the risk of eye infections, sometimes very serious.

Protect your eyes from the sun. The sun's UV rays can cause eye damage. That's why it's important to wear sunglasses with UV protection when you're outdoors, especially during the summer or in high-altitude locations.

Rest your eyes. If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, tablet or smartphone, it's important to take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Look away from the screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, blinking several times to lubricate your eyes and prevent eye fatigue.

Avoid smoking. Smoking is harmful to the whole body, including the eyes. The habit can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye problems. If you smoke, stop as soon as possible.

Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants, can help prevent eye problems. Foods such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, fish and fruit are great sources of nutrients for the eyes.

Protect your eyes: during sports and in certain professions, with suitable goggles to reduce the risk of injury.

In addition to this general eye care, it's important to be aware of possible injuries and precautions to be taken, as well as the most common diseases that can affect eye health.

Eye trauma can occur in various ways, such as direct impact, foreign objects, falls or accidents. In the event of eye injuries, it is essential to seek medical help immediately. In the case of chemical burns with acids or bases, rinse your eyes thoroughly for 15 minutes and go to an ophthalmology emergency room. If there is a foreign object stuck in your eye, do not try to remove it and avoid rubbing your eyes. See an eye doctor.

Some of the most common eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They are the most frequent causes of blindness in Portugal. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina, causing loss of vision. People with diabetes must control their blood sugar levels to prevent the disease from developing. They should be seen regularly by their eye doctor. It is a serious mistake to go to the doctor only when there is loss of vision. Glaucoma is a condition in which intraocular pressure increases, damaging the optic nerve. It can go unnoticed without routine check-ups and lead to blindness if not treated early. AMD is a condition in which the macula, the central area of the retina, deteriorates gradually or suddenly, affecting central vision. Early detection and timely treatment can help slow down the progression of these diseases. Hence the importance of regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist.

In short, taking care of your eye health is fundamental to maintaining a good quality of life and preventing vision problems. If we adopt preventive measures, such as hygiene care, proper use of glasses and contact lenses and eye protection, as well as regular check-ups by an eye doctor, we can prevent many eye diseases and ensure healthy vision for many years to come.