If you're not that familiar with eye care, you're probably one of the lucky ones. You have good eyesight, but the only thing is you could wind up on the other side of things in the blink of an eye. Whether you're facing an eye ailment or wanting to work on eye care to prevent future illnesses, this information can help you.

Are you a smoker? If so, stop. Smoking increases the chance that you will have problems with your eyes, like cataracts and macular degeneration. It can be hard to quit, but never stop trying. Even if you've failed in the past, you still have a good chance of being able to quit in the future.

You need to know if any eye diseases are common in your family. Hereditary conditions must be treated immediately. Speak with older family members to know about any history with eye problems.

Wearing sunglasses is a great way to protect your eyesight. UV rays can damage eyes even when it's cloudy. Use sunglasses that offer protection from UV rays. The extra cost is worth the benefits.

Don't strain the eyes for too long. When you strain your vision and focus on something, such as a computer or television screen, you typically forget to blink as much as you should. When you don't blink enough, it means your eyes are getting the lubrication they need, which can lead to more serious problems.

Pay attention to the heating or air conditioning in your home. These are a major cause of dry eyes. You don't even have to operate the heater; the humidifier will keep the moisture circulating. This is what can help your eyes to not get dry and irritated.

Do you play sports? Certain contact sports, like lacrosse and ice hockey, can be dangerous for your eyes. Make sure you wear either sports goggles or a face mask to limit your risk. While it may seem strange to wear them at first, you will quickly get used to them.

If you wear contacts, make sure you take care of them properly. They carry a greater risk of causing eye issues because they sit directly on your eyes. Make sure to clean them properly daily. Make sure your hands are clean, and that you are using a contact solution that is not expired. Never clean them by putting them in your mouth.

Make sure to consume copious amounts of Vitamin A during the course of the day. Vitamin A is great for helping to reduce the inflammation and irritation that you may feel, which can cause dryness. Foods that have high sources of this vitamin include carrots, chicken, potatoes, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Take proper care of your contact lenses. Anytime you put in or take out your contact lenses, make sure that you have thoroughly washed your hands. Also, replace your lenses as instructed and disinfect them like you should. If not properly taken care of, contact lenses can cause you a lot of grief.

Keep in mind that having eye issues may be inevitable for some. Many eye conditions are hereditary. You can take great care of your eyes and still have major issues. If you have family member with eye problems, you may want to talk to them about which issues run in the family. You can bring up these conditions to your optometrist so that they can watch for the early signs.

If you have never experienced a condition with your eyes, then consider yourself blessed. All types of different things can happen, and working towards prevention is key so that you do not suffer from poor eye health. Instead, you are going to ensure that you keep your eyes in the best condition.