I have a crazy friend who used to chop onions, in the backyard, wearing swim goggles. She figured it was a good way to get some sun, and protect her eyes at the same time.

As crazy as this may seem, the idea of protecting our eyes is a good one. If the eyes are the "window to the soul", then I do believe that our windows should be clean, bright, and healthy.

Some things we can do to baby our orbs are:

•  Keep your eyes away from second-hand smoke. According to research, smoking can "decrease blood supply to the eyes by causing blood vessels to narrow and blood to thicken". If those around you do smoke, ask them to go outside or designate one room of your home into a "smoking room".

•  Protect your eyes from Mother Nature. It is recommend that our sunglasses have100% UV (ultraviolet radiation) protection. If you want to know what the UV danger is on any given day, wherever you live, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has printed the following guide that may help you.

•  Use safety glasses if you are around anything that could cause eye damage. This includes harmful liquids, wood-working, soldering, or any other activity where debris could land in your eye. I guess that could include cutting onions - if you are so inclined.

•  Ophthalmologists caution to keep your blood pressure in check. High blood pressure will increase the risk of glaucoma. Most medications will keep this under control, as will a healthy diet and daily exercise.

Foods for Healthy Eyes

•  Carrots: full of beta carotene, a great antioxidant that reduces the risk of macular generation and cataracts.
•  Bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts: Vitamin C, another good antioxidant that protects your eyes.
•  Turkey: contains zinc and niacin, which specifically protects against cataracts.
•  Sweet potatoes: again, beta carotene.
•  Spinach: vitamin C and beta carotene. Popeye was right!
•  Wild salmon and sardines: not crazy about the sardines, but either one, 2-3x a week contain the essential omega 3 fats that will keep your eyes bright and healthy.

Give your eyes a treat by adding any of these ingredients to soups, sandwiches, salads, green smoothies, or just eat them for a great snack.