2020 has made us prioritize our health more than ever, whether that’s shielding the people we love, washing our hands more often, or wearing a face-covering in public. However, during these unprecedented times, we mustn’t neglect other areas of our health in the process.
Read on for how to look after your eyes with some simple facts everyone should know.
Understand your needs
Just like everyone is different, everyone’s eye health is different. While a friend might have astigmatism, you might struggle with myopia. You could have diabetic-related issues, or you may have a grandparent who is in the early stages of macular degeneration. With so many potential issues, understanding your own vision needs and learning how to read your own prescription will give you more confidence and help you to spot other vision issues that could be harmful to your health. You’ll find advice about reading your prescription on this website. Understanding your vision needs also makes choosing glasses online much easier, you simply enter your prescription and choose whichever lenses you need.
Eat for your eye health
We’re all familiar with the term, “eating for your health”, but did you know that this means eating for your eye health, too? Foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin C will help to keep your eyes healthy and bright. You’ll find these kinds of nutrients in leafy green vegetables, salmon and oily fish, citrus fruits, nuts, and beans. And although carrots might not help you see in the dark, they’ll certainly reduce the likelihood of eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Take plenty of eye breaks
These days more of us than ever are spending our days in front of screens. Whether we’re scrolling social media on an evening or enduring a full working week on the laptop, excessive screen time means more exposure to blue light, a potentially harmful form of light that is emitted from digital screens. Extreme exposure to blue light means more migraines, dry, itchy eyes, and digital eyestrain. To look after your eyes, make sure you’re taking regular breaks from your screens or check out some blue-blocking glasses online for added protection.
Update your sunglasses
Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement, or something we wear so the sun doesn’t get in our eyes. Sunglasses are vital in protecting our eyes and preserving our vision from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Updating your sunglasses means you’ll have prescription friendly sunnies, UV and UVB protection and you’ll look great all year long.
Bonus tip: Did you know that your sunglasses aren’t just for the summer months? Any time the sun is shining you should consider wearing your sunglasses outdoors. UV rays are still incredibly harmful in the cold months, even when temperatures are low.
Get your eyes tested!
Regular eye exams are the best way to ensure your eyes are in good condition and that your prescription is up to date. Wearing glasses with the wrong lenses or the wrong prescription can leave you suffering from headaches, blurred vision, and reduced confidence. So, make sure you’re visiting your optician every 1-2 years depending on your requirements. Once you have your new prescription you can update your eyewear and look and feel great.
