Wednesday March 7, 2018

Over two million people live with sight loss in the UK.  It’s a staggering statistic and is only set to rise, with experts predicting that the figure will double by 2050 due to the aging population and an increase in trigger-conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

But we shouldn’t just accept this shocking trend as inevitable.

Just as we can go to the gym to improve our physique, there are plenty of lifestyle choices we can make to look after our eyes.  So here at Specs Direct Stevenaget we’ve compiled our top ten eye health tips to keep your vision in excellent condition well into the future.

Get Examined

When was the last time you got your eyes tested?  A sixth of British adults haven’t seen an optometrist since childhood, yet national guidelines recommend you get your eyes checked at least every two years.  Our comprehensive eye examinations test your eyes both for eyesight prescription and also for an array of vision-threatening conditions.  Many common issues – from glaucoma to macular degeneration – don’t have easily detectable symptoms until they’ve already damaged your eyes, so we use the latest techniques and state of the art equipment to identify the earliest symptoms.

Eat Well

One of our top eye care tips is to consume a healthy diet packed with colourful fruits and vegetables to give your vision a nutritious boost.  A rainbow of red peppers, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spinach, broccoli and blueberries will unleash a rush of vitamins and antioxidants, whilst omega-3 rich fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel will keep your retina in good health.

Drink Up

Keeping your eyes hydrated ensures they stay lubricated, produce quality tears and focus properly.  Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent the onset of dry eye syndrome – an increasingly common condition in which your eyes can become dry, swollen, itchy and red.  Our eye health tips include drinking eight or more cups of liquid a day to keep your vision adequately watered!

Stay Fit

Love it or loathe it, exercise is good for your body, your mind and your eyes.  Cardiovascular fitness – such as jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing – boosts retinal blood flow and keeps your optic nerve healthy.

Wear Your Shades

Whatever the season, if the sun’s out your shades should be on.  UV rays inflict serious damage to your vision, from macular degeneration to cataracts.  So most important out of all our eye care tips, it’s imperative you invest in a high quality pair of sunglasses to block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Give Up Cigarettes

Smokers are up to four times more likely to go blind in old age.  The habit doubles your chances of developing cataracts, triples your risk of contracting macular degeneration and can also be an underlying cause of inflammation, diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes.  Quit to protect your vision.

Get Away from Your Screen

Do you spend more than 5 hours a day in front of a computer screen?  You’re at risk of developing computer vision syndrome, eyestrain and dry eye, all conditions that can have serious future implications for your vision.  If avoiding screen time is impossible, make sure to take regular breaks, look away from your computer every half hour to refocus your vision and pass on these eye health tips to your colleagues.

Protective Eyewear

Whether you’re playing sports, on holiday skiing, or working in a dusty environment, wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from any debris.  Your employer has a legal duty to provide you with adequate protection so make sure to enquire.

Wash Your Contact Lenses

Contact lenses have the capacity to completely transform your vision, but they can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly.  If you keep your contact lenses in fluid overnight, make sure to adequately wash them with fluids before storing them and always change your lenses on time to keep them fresh.

Know Your History

Your family’s eye history is the best clue we have for monitoring your vision’s health and a thorough knowledge of it is one of the most important eye care tips.  For example, if your mum, dad or grandparents have a history of macular degeneration, we can keep a note on your record and monitor for the slightest changes within your eyes, giving you absolute peace of mind.

If you’re due for your checkup, please  give us a call on 01438 364 168.

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