Good eye health is important for keeping your vision strong and staying in control of your day-to-day life. It can even help protect you from falls and injuries. Here are some ways to check your eye health at home and help decide if it’s time to visit the eye doctor.

Simple self-tests for eye health

Use these simple self-tests to help spot any changes in your vision. If you notice any problems, schedule a visit with your provider, or optometrist. 

A clear view of your vision benefit

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1. Reading test: Take a book or magazine and hold it about 12-14 inches away from your eyes. (Hint: This is about the distance from your hand to your elbow.) Can you see the words clearly? Try covering one eye at a time and see if each eye can read clearly on its own. If you notice blurriness or trouble focusing with one or both eyes, this is something to tell your eye doctor.

2. Distance vision test: Stand about 10 feet away from a clock or a sign with numbers or letters. Can you read it clearly? Try covering one eye at a time to see if one eye is stronger than the other. If the numbers are hard to see, check in with your eye doctor. 

3. Color vision test: Look at something with lots of bright colors. Some ideas are a box of crayons or a colorful drawing. Do any of the colors look faded or strange? Noticing color changes can be important, so let your eye doctor know if anything seems off.

4. Eye comfort check: Think about how your eyes feel each day. Are they tired, itchy, dry or sore? Do you have to blink a lot or rub your eyes? Make a vision appointment if they feel uncomfortable. This could mean something minor like allergies or something more serious.

Regular eye doctor visits help keep your eyes healthy and catch problems early. Even if your vision seems fine, routine exams can find eye issues you may not notice. Your eye doctor can even help catch other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. 

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Protect your eyes every day

While going to the eye doctor and doing at-home vision tests can help catch problems, there are also ways you can help protect your eye health. Here are a few tips to keep your vision in good shape: 

• Take screen breaks:^* Staring too much at your phone, television or computer can cause eye strain. And this can lead to symptoms like headaches and neck pain. Try to follow the “20-20-20” rule to give your eyes some rest. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Eat eye-healthy foods:^* Foods rich in vitamins A and C are good for your eyes. Vitamin A can prevent dry eyes and helps them process light so you can see clearly. You can get vitamin A through orange-colored fruits and veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes.  
  
  Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body fight off damage from things like pollution and unhealthy foods. This important nutrient is in fruits and veggies like oranges, lemons, tomatoes and red bell peppers. 

• Wear sunglasses: Some sunlight exposure is good for your health. But the sun also gives off harmful rays. Just like sunscreen is important to protect your skin from these rays, it’s key to protect your eyes too. Wearing sunglasses can help with that. Look for glasses labeled “100% UV protection” or "UV400.” And never look directly at the sun.

• Keep your hands clean: Your fingers and hands collect many germs from touching objects throughout the day. Try not to touch your eyes without washing your hands first. This will help lower your chances of getting an eye infection. Proper handwashing means scrubbing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.^*

^* FOR SCREEN BREAKS: American Optometric Association. Eye health guidance for screen time. Accessed November 18, 2024. 

* FOR EYE-HEALTHY FOODS: American Academy of Ophthalmology. 36 fabulous foods to boost eye health. April 7, 2023. Accessed November 18, 2024.

* FOR HAND WASHING: Mayo Clinic. Hand-washing: Do’s and don’ts. December 10, 2021. Accessed November 18, 2024.

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