Tips For Your Eye care
The human senses are our contact to the environment. We would argue by far the most important organs of sense are our eyes. We perceive up to 80 per cent of all impressions by means of our sight. This means 80% of all information we gather and learn comes through our eyes. Our eyes are the 2nd most complex organs in our bodies after the brain. And if other senses such as taste or smell stop working, it’s the eyes that best protect us from danger. Which is why it is extremely important to take good care of our eyes. That’s why we have developed for you our top eye care tips below:
At least 75% of disease related vision loss can be prevented with proper treatment so it is very important to keep up-to-date with vision screening. Eye examinations can detect certain eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration which could all lead to sight loss. Regular eye tests can also gauge your general eye health and can result in the early identification of other eye problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. We often take our eyes for granted when all it takes to look after our arguably most important sense is a 20 minute eye examination every 2 years in most cases. Depending on your age and eye condition the optometrist may suggest you have a shorter recall time between vision screenings.
There are many studies showing how lifestyle can affect eyes. Things such as smoking, your diet, alcohol etc are all linked to Macular Degeneration.
ALCOHOL & SMOKING
It is well known that lifestyle choices including drinking alcohol and smoking can impact your health, but research shows it also affects your eyes. High consumptions of alcohol can result in blurry vision and increasing occurrences of dry eye in the short term. In the long term, over-consumption of alcohol can increase your risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Similarly, smoking is also linked to cataracts and macular degeneration. If you do smoke, it is even more important to visit your optician regularly, as they can pick up on any signs of eye disease during a routine eye examination.
Diet & Eye Care
A healthy, well balanced diet is good for your body as well as your eyes! Eating a diet that balances nutrition and vitamins and full of antioxidants could help prevent eye problems. Did you know foods such as spinach, leeks and red peppers contain lutein and zeaxanthin which can help to protect your eyes against age-related macular degeneration. Also omega-3 fatty acids can improve the eye’s oil film that’s produced by small glands on the edge of the eyelid, called the meibomian glands, this helps prevent a common condition called Dry Eye which is experienced by on average 1 in 10 Britons.
ALCOHOL & SMOKING
It is well known that lifestyle choices including drinking alcohol and smoking can impact your health, but research shows it also affects your eyes. High consumptions of alcohol can result in blurry vision and increasing occurrences of dry eye in the short term. In the long term, over-consumption of alcohol can increase your risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Similarly, smoking is also linked to cataracts and macular degeneration. If you do smoke, it is even more important to visit your optician regularly, as they can pick up on any signs of eye disease during a routine eye examination.
Diet & Eye Care
A healthy, well balanced diet is good for your body as well as your eyes! Eating a diet that balances nutrition and vitamins and full of antioxidants could help prevent eye problems. Did you know foods such as spinach, leeks and red peppers contain lutein and zeaxanthin which can help to protect your eyes against age-related macular degeneration. Also omega-3 fatty acids can improve the eye’s oil film that’s produced by small glands on the edge of the eyelid, called the meibomian glands, this helps prevent a common condition called Dry Eye which is experienced by on average 1 in 10 Britons.
Natural light is very important for our eyes to function properly. In children a lack of time outdoors could increase their chances of developing short-sightedness. Time spent indoors is generally spent on digital devices such as computers, tablets, TVs & Smartphones. A recent survey found that 75% of Britons dual screen meaning they use their phones whilst watching the TV! This increases the chance of developing myopia and also causes eye strain. The signs of eye strain include headaches, eye fatigue, blurry vision or sometimes even neck and back pain.
No matter your age we recommend everyone has an eye test every 2 years at least. For children and people aged over 70 years we recommend an eye test every 1 year (optician may recommend a sooner recall if they see the need). If you are over 60 you are entitled to a free eye examination ever 2 years and over 70s every 1 year. Children up to 16 (or 19 if still in full time education) are also entitled to a free eye test once a year. We recommend you bring your children in for an eye test once they are old enough to respond to the questions being asked, this is usually around the 3-4 year old mark.
EARLY SCHOOL YEARS
Children do not often complain about problems with their sight, that is why it is important to keep up to date with regular eye tests. 80% of the information we gather comes through our eyes, so without correcting children vision they could lose confidence in school and fall behind. Sitting close to the TV, blinking a lot, rubbing their eyes, holding objects close to their face and on eye turning in or out are all signs to look out for.
40 +
The majority of peoples eyesight starts to deteriorate to some extent in their 40s. Generally this is burred near vision resulting in you needed reading glasses but an eye examination will easily determine which prescription is right for you.
60 +
Your vision is likely to be changing as part of the natural ageing process, regular eye examinations and the correct eyewear are important to retain the best possible quality of vision. You may have also developed age related eye diseases such as cataracts. It is very important you keep up with your eye examinations so the optician can advise you as to what steps should be taken at this stage.
EARLY SCHOOL YEARS
Children do not often complain about problems with their sight, that is why it is important to keep up to date with regular eye tests. 80% of the information we gather comes through our eyes, so without correcting children vision they could lose confidence in school and fall behind. Sitting close to the TV, blinking a lot, rubbing their eyes, holding objects close to their face and on eye turning in or out are all signs to look out for.
40 +
The majority of peoples eyesight starts to deteriorate to some extent in their 40s. Generally this is burred near vision resulting in you needed reading glasses but an eye examination will easily determine which prescription is right for you.
60 +
Your vision is likely to be changing as part of the natural ageing process, regular eye examinations and the correct eyewear are important to retain the best possible quality of vision. You may have also developed age related eye diseases such as cataracts. It is very important you keep up with your eye examinations so the optician can advise you as to what steps should be taken at this stage.
While it is good and important for your eyes to be outside in natural light, just like our skin we need to protect them from UV light. Too much UV light can affect your eye health and maybe a contributing factor to developing cataracts and photokeratitis. Summer is the season of eye diseases, conjunctivitis being the most common one but dry eyes, stye and eye allergy are a few other problems our eyes may have to tackle in the summer months.
As a driver, The law states you must be able to read a standard number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of twenty metres. Around 90% of the information a driver uses is visual. This is why it is very important we ensure your vision meets the correct requirements. If you drive for a living (e.g. lorry driver) you must meet more stringent eyesight requirements, with a medical and vision check when you first apply and at regular intervals thereafter.
Many people have issues driving at night with the growing use of bright white headlights in cars and other lights around the road. This is why lens manufacturers are constantly working with new technology to create coatings which can minimise the effects of these and help people feel more comfortable driving at night. You can get more information on this in-store.
Many people have issues driving at night with the growing use of bright white headlights in cars and other lights around the road. This is why lens manufacturers are constantly working with new technology to create coatings which can minimise the effects of these and help people feel more comfortable driving at night. You can get more information on this in-store.
During pregnancy you body goes through many changes, this can also affect your eyes. Fluctuations in hormone levels can lead to dry eyes or blurred or distorted vision. In most cases they will disappear after childbirth just as quick as the appeared, but if you do have any problems you should visit your GP.
