It is easy to take good eyesight for granted, but to help keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime, remember to take these safety steps:

• Before tackling outdoor chores, don't forget safety goggles. Everyday tasks such as lawn mowing, trimming and spraying pesticides can be risky without proper eye protection. While indoors, wear goggles when hammering nails, handling power tools or using hazardous household chemicals that could cause eye damage.
   
• Encourage budding young athletes to protect their eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 100,000 eye injuries occur each year in people under the age of 25 during sports or recreational activities. Children playing basketball, racquetball, tennis and soccer should wear sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses and side shields. For baseball, hockey and lacrosse, a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield is advised. If your child's vision is very poor in one eye, consider the risk of not using eye protection.
   
• Surfing the Net? To prevent eyestrain while using your computer, take frequent breaks and make sure that the focus and brightness of your monitor are adjusted properly. The top of the screen should be clean and placed at or slightly below eye level. Don't forget to blink often to lubricate your eyes. If you experience eye discomfort, contact your ophthalmologist to determine whether you need glasses for computer use or to rule out a vision problem.
   
• While outdoors, always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from year-round ultraviolet rays and reduce your chances of developing cataracts in later life.
   
• Have your eyes examined regularly. Children should be checked to detect eye diseases and visual problems. Adults between the ages of 40 and 65 should see an ophthalmologist every two to four years and those over 65 every one to two years.