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Expert Tips for Healthy Eyes

Please do not take your eyes and vision for granted. Our eyes do change with age; however, in our current technology driven lifestyle, younger people are also at risk from deteriorating eyes and eyesight.

The following information is designed to help you look after the health of your eyes and protect them from hidden damage and ward off the ageing process.

Visit your optician on a regular basis: A routine eye examination is free in Scotland:- in addition to your eyesight, we will give you an eye health check. Checking for symptoms of diabetes; glaucoma; macular degeneration; and cataracts.

Independent opticians often offer longer appointment times than the larger multiple stores – don’t cut corners.

Family History

This often provides valuable information as some sight threatening conditions can appear in earlier generations. If this is the case, your eyes should be examined on an annual basis – at least.

Healthy Eating

Our TVs and magazines are full of information about healthy eating and our eyes are no different. Balanced diets with antioxidants ensure the maintenance of healthy cells and tissues in the eyes.

Fruit, green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and particularly Omega 3 (found in oily fish) are particularly effective in reducing the risks of glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Prevent Dry Eyes

The information in the healthy eating section is also valid for dry eyes.
Our modern lifestyle determines that many of us spend hours looking at VDU screens, often in poorly ventilated areas. Our recently installed TearClinic will provide valuable information on how this has happened and the means of ensuring the surface of your eyes remains lubricated.

Our Eyes at Work and Play

Challenging lifestyles means that many of us are spending more time at computers, often in poorly ventilated or air-conditioned environments. A helpful tip is to look away every few minutes to ensure an increased blink rate and use some lubricating eye drops.

Blue light radiations have been shown to increase discomfort when viewing electronic devices, including TV. If you are a spectacle wearer, then the use of a filter on your glasses to block out these emissions is recommended.

Overexposure to UV can cause damage resulting in cataracts, macular degeneration, and possible corneal damage. You should consider quality sunglasses that provide both UVA and UVB protection. Ones that are polarized provide the best visual comfort.

Stop Smoking

The effects of smoking on our general health have been well documented, perhaps the effects on our eyes are less well known. Smokers experience a significant increase in macular degeneration. This causes a loss of central vision which is essential for driving and reading. The blood vessels in the eyes can also become constricted which increases the pressure in the eyes and can possibly lead to glaucoma, optic nerve damage, and cataracts.

Contact Lens Advice

The use of contact lenses has been a life changing experience for many people. However, it is very important that certain guidelines are adhered to:

  • You must always clean your hands when handling contact lens – this is very important, even for 1 day disposable lenses.
  • Do not continue wearing the lenses if you experience any irritation or discomfort. Remove immediately, insert some preservative-free lubricating drops (which should always be to hand) and contact your optician as soon as possible.
  • Never, never, NEVER store your lenses in tap water or rinse them with tap water.
  • Never lubricate your lenses with saliva. Improper treatment can leave you open to infection from bacteria and certain organisms which can be sight threatening.
  • Always adhere to the instructions given with regard to your cleaning and disinfecting system.
  • Having your lenses checked every 6 months is essential.
  • Do not wear your lenses for too long.
Eyestrain at near
  • Ensure you wear your glasses or have them updated if required.
  • Create a better lighting environment.
  • Take regular breaks – every 20 minutes look away from the book/computer for a few seconds.
  • This will relax your focusing system for near and as you blink refresh your tears.
  • If you are experiencing headaches, contact your optician to determine if glasses or a change of prescription may be required.
Conclusion

Our eyesight is one of our most precious senses, and as such we should not take it for granted. Our quality of life can be significantly affected if we neglect or abuse this precious faculty. Hopefully the above information will help you maintain healthier eyes and preserve your quality of life.