In a month that’s all about showing how much you care, we focus on how you can show some love to your eyes. In this blog, we share ten important eyecare tips.
Did you know that our eyes benefit when we look after our general health? It sounds obvious when you say it, but taking a holistic approach to our eye health often doesn’t cross our minds. Here’s how some small changes in your lifestyle can help you to show your eyes some love.
1. Eat well
Nourishing your body with vitamins and antioxidants provides a boost for your eye health. Look out for foods that contain lots of Vitamin A, as they help produce the pigments in the retina that support low-light vision.
Vitamin C also plays an important role in the health of your eyes. With lots of antioxidants, these foods reduce the risk of common eye diseases.
2. Stay hydrated
Drinking water helps maintain the moisture level in your eyes, preventing dryness. It’s particularly important in the summer when your eyes are naturally drier because of the hot weather.
Water also helps flush out toxins, preventing the build-up of waste that can lead to eye conditions such as glaucoma.
3. Get adequate sleep
Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep a night to help your eyes recover from the day.
Your body uses its rest periods as a time to replenish nutrients, giving your eyes the tools they need to be healthy.
The general risk of not getting enough sleep is the eyes getting tired, causing issues such as eye strain, blurred vision or eye spasms.
4. Stay active
Regular exercise increases the blood flow to your optic nerve, which helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. Research also suggests that moderate to high-intensity exercise increases antioxidant enzymes that prevent eye diseases.
Pop into our Wickham or Lee on the Solent branches to speak to the team about your 2025 eyewear.
5. Take screen breaks
Most companies today include screen breaks in their employee risk assessments, and there’s a reason they are seen as so important.
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, try to follow the 20-20-20 rule each day. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
6. Don’t smoke
We all know smoking has negative effects on our overall health, and our eye health is no different. It causes oxidative stress in our bodies which damages the retina and reduces blood flow in the eye tissue.
There’s limited research on the impact of vaping on eye health, but it is suggested that the fumes can cause dry eye.
7. Wear correct eyewear
Eyes are often forgotten about when it comes to taking part in outdoor activities. Wearing incorrect eyewear makes your eyes vulnerable to harmful UV rays. Goggles with photochromic lenses are widely available on the market. These have a unique ability to darken in sunlight and are powerful in shielding your eyes.
Protective eyewear is important if carrying out DIY or working with machinery. Materials such as wood chips or dust can get into your eyes, causing long-term damage.
8. Regular eye checks
To maintain optimal eye health and ensure early detection of potential health risks, we recommend a regular eye test every two years for most adults.
However, if you have a pre-existing eye condition or are at a higher risk due to family history or certain health conditions, more frequent check-ups may be advised.
9. Take care with contacts
We know life can be busy, and it can be easy to put eyecare at the bottom of your list when you’re tired or preoccupied. Taking your contacts out every evening with freshly washed hands will prevent eye infections and irritation.
9. Keep an eye on your eye health
If you generally have good eyesight, you might not prioritise going to the opticians. We recommend that everyone should have a routine eye health check every two years to check your vision and overall eye health. Check in with us anytime for advice about eye care, or if you have any concerns about the health of your eyes.
Get in touch to book an eye test in Lee-On-The-Solent or Wickham with one of our experienced optometrists.