When talking about good health, we all know the basics – drinking more water, staying active and eating a healthy balanced diet. But how many of us think about the health of our eyes, and know the specific ways we can prevent certain conditions from developing? Vision Matters, the group behind National Eye Health Week state that 2 million people in the UK are currently living with sight loss that is severe enough to impact on their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is avoidable.
We’ve put together some top tips to help you maintain good eye health.
“We often find that eye health can be overlooked, or that people aren’t aware of the steps they can take to prevent some of the issues that develop with age, or due to environmental factors such as overexposure to screens” says Mr Rakesh Jayaswal, a leading ophthalmic surgeon from LaserVision, currently practicing at the Healthshare Clinic Winchester. “Many conditions become more common as we age due to general deterioration, however there are things we can do in order to combat these and keep our eyes healthier for longer”.
In the video below, Mr Nick Maycock, ophthalmic consultant and surgeon at LaserVision outlines what you can do:
Protect your eyes for DIY and gardening
Many people are now enthusiastic DIYers or gardeners, but things like chemicals, dirt, dust and shards of wood could all potentially damage your eyes. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, one Oxford Eye Hospital said it had seen an increase in injuries and people who needed operations, due to an uptick in DIY.
Safety goggles or glasses are inexpensive and certainly worth having at home so to have to hand for potentially risky tasks.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy diet
Eating a healthy balanced diet will help promote good vision, especially if you’re including super eye friendly foods such as cheese & milk which contain Zinc, oily fish such as mackerel which is packed full of Omega-3, and also green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale which can help prevent the development of cataracts. Where possible, cutting out or reducing things like smoking and drinking alcohol can help prevent damage to blood vessels, and keep important antioxidants at a healthy level.
Get regular eye checks
If you’re over 40, it’s recommended you visit an eye specialist for a check-up every 2 years. If you start noticing your eyesight has worsened, or you’re noticing things like clouding which can often be a sign of cataracts, it’s best to book in with a specialist as soon as possible.
Step away from the laptop screen!
Laptops and computers, mobile phone, TV screens – modern life now revolves around use of digital screens, which can lead to eyes feeling tired or strained. By making sure you give your eyes a rest every 20 minutes or so, blinking regularly and ensuring your screen is positioned well so it’s easier to focus, you should see a reduction in these symptoms.
Defend your eyes and eyelids against the sun’s rays
We often wear sunglasses to stop the glare of bright sunlight, but did you know that UV can also cause general deterioration, as well as increase your risk of eyelid skin cancer? So as well as having a pair of sunglasses to hand in the summer, it’s also worth considering tinted lenses for prescription glasses to prevent additional damage.
About LaserVision
LaserVision are proud to offer a range of vision correction treatments for private patients at Healthshare Clinic Winchester, including refractive errors such as mild to severe short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism, as well as cataract removal. We’re also able to offer the very latest in laser eye surgery, all in a brand new and stylish clinic located on the outskirts of Winchester. We’d recommend anybody thinking about any eye surgery or currently experiencing issues with their eyes get in touch with our friendly team to see how we might be able to help.