16 March, 2018

How to keep your eyes healthy

From all of our 5 senses, our eyesight is probably the most precious one.

In order to maintain good general health, we must eat and sleep well, practice regular exercise, protect ourselves from harmful substances and more. Believe it or not, our eyes require just as much care and attention.

With that in mind, we have put together a quick guide on how to keep your eyes healthy.

 

Have a balanced diet:

 

Consuming specific nutrients that are important for our eyes health, such as Vitamins A, C and E, zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin found in leafy greens, egg yolks, sweet corn and red grapes, may help with vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

 

Use protective gear:

 

Whether you are performing hazardous jobs, being exposed to chemicals, debris or just simply playing sports, it is important to protect your eyes. Make sure you wear appropriate protective gear at all times.

 

Quit smoking:

 

Those who smoke are more likely to develop cataracts, macular degeneration and damage to the optic nerve. If you are having trouble quitting smoking, contact your General Practitioner.

 

Wear sunglasses:

 

The right pair of sunglasses with polarised lenses can protect you from the nasty UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

 

Step away from the computer and other electronic devices:

 

Prolonged exposure to blue light can be the cause of a condition called Digital Eye Strain, as well as blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches and other non-related vision problems such as neck, back and shoulder pain. To protect your eyes, make sure you minimise time in front of the screen, that your prescription glasses and/or contact lenses are up to date, and that you are taking regular breaks from your devices.

 

Have regular eye exams:

 

Regular eyes exams help you to protect your eyesight and play an important part in early detection of conditions such as: macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and other vision issues. Diseases such as glaucoma, for example, have no symptoms in its early stages and signs may only be noticed by the patient when a significant amount of nerve fibres have been permanently damaged.

 

If you are experiencing any eye condition symptoms and/or are suffering from any eye related discomfort, contact your local EyeQ Optometrist today.