How to improve eyesight

Wondering how to improve eyesight? No magic required — just start with your plate. Citrus fruits, nuts, eggs, bell peppers, and salmon deliver the vitamins and omega-3s your eyes crave. Staring at screens all day? Give your eyes a break with a nifty exercise known as the 20-20-20 method (because blinking at your inbox doesn’t count). And don’t skip eye exams. Catching issues early beats a lifetime of squinting at menus.  

Words like improve, fix, correct, or heal overlap in casual conversations about how to increase eyesight, but each suggests a different approach. Let’s unpack all of these definitions and take a definitive look at how to get better eyesight.  

(Always check with a health care professional before trying to improve any area of your health. Your eyes aren’t something to experiment with on a whim.) 

Is it possible to have perfect eyesight? 

Just like there’s no pair of glasses that won’t mysteriously vanish when you need them, there’s no such thing as perfect eyesight. Want to know something else fun? Although you (like everyone else) might think 20/20 means perfect vision, it’s actually more average than flawless. The numbers just mean you can read a particular-size letter from 20 feet away under normal conditions.  

Did you know that some eagle-eyed folks can see better than 20/20? Learn more in our article, What Does 20/15 Vision Mean? 

If you’re wondering how to correct eyesight, first check if you’re using the right term: 

1. Correct. Make it possible to see better using glasses, contacts, or other prescribed aids. 

2. Fix. Resolve a specific deficiency, such as severe nearsightedness, with targeted treatments, including surgery. 

3. Improve. Boost overall clarity or comfort, even if perfect vision remains a pipe dream. 

4. Increase. Enhance sharpness (the bit 20/20 measures) to a more functional level — maybe shifting from 20/60 to 20/40. 

5. Cure. Remove the underlying cause of a vision issue (only possible for infections). 

6. Restore. Bring eyesight back to a previous condition — typically following on from trauma or surgical intervention. 

7. Heal. Support the eye’s natural recovery process, perhaps post-operation rehab or soothing mild dryness. 

Eye conditions and risk factors 

Curious about how to help eyesight go from fuzzy to focused? First, pinpoint the issue you’re having with your eye health. Please consult an eye health professional instead of relying on guesswork, or, worse, TikTok.  

• Myopia (nearsightedness). Objects at a distance appear blurry if you’re nearsighted. Genes and prolonged screen time might contribute to this all-too-common issue. 

• Hyperopia (farsightedness). Seeing far-off objects is easier than reading close-up for farsighted folks, which tends to run in families. 

• Astigmatism. If you have an astigmatism, your cornea or lens is shaped more like a football than a sphere, causing general blurriness (we do not salute you). 

• Presbyopia. Gradual lens stiffening — presbyopia — usually creeps in around age 40, making fine print harder to read (and money easier to spend … that’s our excuse). 

• Cataracts. Protein buildup in the lens causes cloudiness in people with cataracts — often related to age, UV exposure, or certain health issues. 

• Glaucoma. Internal eye pressure harms your delicate optic nerve over time, causing glaucoma. Risk factors include genetics and older age. 

How to correct and “fix” vision 

Short of casting a spell or channeling the law of attraction, there are some tangible ways to give your eyes a boost.  

Contact lenses 

Contacts balance elegantly on the eye’s surface and adjust how light passes through, helping you see better if you have an issue like astigmatism or presbyopia. Multifocal varieties can handle distance and close-up tasks in one fell swoop, so your eye can catch a break or two. Have a peek at our contact lens selection to find a pair that suits you.  

Suddenly able to see better without your usual frames? We have answers!  

Eyeglasses 

Glasses are a time-tested option for folks who don’t love the idea of putting contacts in each morning or feel icky about touching their eyes. The lenses come with all sorts of coatings — anti-glare, blue-light filtering, scratch-resistant, polarized, or photochromic (the ones that darken in sunlight) — to match your needs and daily routine.  

We have a range of stylish frames if you’re in the mood for a new look. Just remember that switching up your lens prescription might be enough to fix mild issues, especially if your previous pair has been around because you still believed carrots could give you super vision. 

Corrective procedures 

Laser-based procedures like LASIK reshape the cornea to address certain problems. PRK, lens implants, SMILE, corneal inlays, and cataract removal target different, more specific conditions. Still, LASIK surgery isn’t ideal for every age group and carries risks (please keep all sharp things far away from our eyes and thank you). Some people bounce back quickly, while others need more downtime, so weigh the pros and cons with an eye care professional. 

How to improve and restore vision 

Improving vision doesn’t have to involve a scalpel or a lens prescription. 

Corrective lenses 

Maybe glaring headlights have put an end to your night driving adventures, or your job demands hours scrunching your forehead from all the blue light? Corrective lenses are glasses or contacts that have been bedazzled with specialized coatings or tints, putting an end to these pitfalls.  

Diet and lifestyle changes 

A diet brimming with vitamins A and C (that means chomping on plenty of fruits and veggies), plus antioxidants like lutein (hello leafy greens), can help eyes feel less fatigued. 

Protective steps like wearing sunglasses outdoors, keeping screens at arm's length, reducing harsh screen glare, and balancing your device’s blue and orange light also matter. You might find relief by following the 20-20-20 rule (don't worry, it's not your optometrist’s new daily pricing plan.) Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Your corneas might not throw a parade in your honor, but they’ll appreciate the breather. 

How to get better vision naturally 

Some wonder how to get better vision without pricey procedures or endless manifesting. If you want to nurture your eyes’ comfort, make these habits part of your daily routine: 

• Blink consciously. Extended screen time can lead to half-blinks or none at all. Moisturize those eyes with purpose and intention! 

• Adjust screen angles. Keeping monitors at or slightly below eye level to reduce strain. 

• Sneak in micro-breaks. Your eyes crave variety. Do them proud and look away from your screen every 20 minutes.  

• Snack mindfully. Dark leafy greens, olive oil, whole grains, and seeds feed your retinas the good stuff. 

• Protect from UV. UV rays do real damage over time, so your sunglasses are doing important work (as well as making you look demure and fabulous). 

• Make hydration your religion. Dry eyes equal blurry moments, so drink up and give your peepers a fighting chance.  

• Monitor your prescription. Annual checkups catch subtle changes before they morph into major headaches. 

How to get improved vision 

It’s possible to improve some visual issues by making small changes, like positioning yourself near a window while working to practice the 20-20-20 method. Whether you’re looking to fix, heal, improve, or correct vision, some issues can get better with a new pair of glasses or contact lenses.  

Take an ExpressExam in 10 minutes and easily renew your prescription online at a time that suits you. 

Each set of eyes has its own quirks, and the path to improved comfort and clarity can be surprisingly unique. With a snazzy new pair of lenses and a dash of patience, you might enjoy a sharper view of the world around you.  

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!