Eye Health Habits

Eye examinations are vital for assessing the health of your eyes, diagnosing, and monitoring eye conditions and updating your prescription, however there are other ways that you can look after your eyes in your everyday life.

Be aware of changes in your vision. If you notice any changes in your vision or have any concerns it is important to contact your local optician. Depending on your symptoms you may be asked to attend an appointment for further investigation.

Eat a balanced diet. There are many fruits and vegetables we eat that are great for your eye health. Leafy green vegetables, berries, eggs and oily fish are rich in nutrients that can help promote your eye health.

Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk factor for eye conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, which are the main 4 causes of sight loss in the UK. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to keep your eyes and vision healthy.

Regular exercise is great for eye health. Exercise is recommended for your overall health, but it can also promote your eye health. Aerobic exercise can help increase your oxygen supply to the optic nerve and lower any pressure that builds up in the eyes.

Quit smoking. There is a strong link between smoking and sight loss, as the toxic chemicals in tobacco can damage the delicate structure of the eye.

Protect your eyes with sunnies. UV radiation exposure can increase your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses will block the UV protecting your eyes, even on a cloudy day.

Playing outside can give your eyes a boost. Spending time outdoors can reduce the risk of myopia. The number of people with myopia is increasing and it is predicted that by 2050 half of the population will have myopia. Time spent outdoors is thought to prevent myopia due to the intensity of light the eye is exposed to.

Digital device usage. Over the last 18 months we have spent a considerable amount of time in front of digital devices which can leave your eyes feeling tired and irritated. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to ensure you give your eyes plenty of breaks from digital devices.

Protect your eyes with safety glasses. DIY accidents are the cause of more than 30,000 eye injuries every year. When doing jobs around the house or any form of DIY it is important to wear safety spectacles to protect your eyes from dirt, dust and sharp objects.

Check the expiry on make up. Make up such as eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow can harbour a lot of bacteria. To ensure that you don’t cause any eye infections or blepharitis, it is advised to dispose of make up that is out of date or showing signs of going out of date, and regularly clean your brushes used around your eyes.

If you have any questions about your eye health, or need to book an eye examination contact your local MKO and speak to a member of our team.