While everyone is trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions to go to the gym more often or to cut back on sugar, why not consider prioritising your eye health this year? To help you enjoy healthy vision in 2020, take a look at our top 10 eye health tips:
1) Take A Break from The Screen
Computer eye strain is increasingly common as we spend more time staring at digital screens, with symptoms including blurry vision, sore or red eyes and headaches. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to avoid these consequences; take a break from the screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds by looking at something 20 feet away.
2) Dry Eyes? Try Eye Drops
Itchy and/or gritty-feeling eyes can be signs that you have dry eyes. If this is the case, prescription eye drops for dry eyes can help. Make sure you seek advice from an optometrist to ensure you’re using the most appropriate ones to relieve your symptoms.
3) Eat Healthily
A balanced diet is good news for your whole body but paying attention to particular nutrients can also benefit your eyes. These nutrients include vitamin A found in pumpkins, green leafy vegetables and sweet potatoes, vitamin C found in citrus fruits, broccoli and bell peppers, and lutein and zeaxanthin found in kale, spinach and greens.
4) Stay Active
A healthy blood supply to your eyes is essential for clear vision. Exercise is a great way to improve your blood circulation so try to fit in 2–3 hours of moderate exercise every week.
5) Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands throughout the day, especially before putting in contact lenses or touching or rubbing your eyes to reduce your chances of catching an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis.
6) Wear Sunglasses
UVA and UVB radiation from the sun can damage your eyes year-round. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses that offer 100% protection against UVA and UVB.
7) Wear Protective Eyewear When You Need It
Doing a bit of DIY at home? Or perhaps you’re getting stuck into some pruning or hedge trimming in the garden. Wear appropriate protective eyewear to avoid injury to your eyes.
8) Stop Smoking
Smoking does more than damage your lungs, it also damages your blood vessels, including those that supply your eyes. This puts you at greater risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts and other causes of vision loss. The NHS offers ‘stop smoking’ services for free.
9) Throw Out Old Eye Make-Up
Liquid or creamy eye make-up can act as an incubator for harmful bacteria. Replace your eye make-up every 3 months to reduce your chances of eye infection.
10) Keep Up with Your Best Eye Test in London
The best way to ensure your eyes are in good shape is to get your eyes examined by an optometrist. But how often should you get your eyes tested? The NHS recommends children have their eyes tested every year and adults every 2 years.
Follow these 10 tips to enjoy a healthy vision for the year ahead. If you have any concerns about your eye health or would like to book yourself in for your regular eye examination, get in touch with The Optical Shop, your opticians in Farnham, Virginia Water, Pimlico and Dorking.