Simple Tips to Better Care for Your Eyes
Our eyes are undoubtedly one of the most impressive parts of our bodies. They provide us with one of our most valuable assets – our sight, a sense that allows us to make sense of the world around us in incredible detail and connect with the people in our lives. But our eyes are also incredibly sensitive to all kinds of potential harms, from pollution to sun damage. And yet, we find it extremely easy to overlook healthy ways to look after our eyes.
So, in this article, we’re taking a look at some of the best (and easiest) ways to prioritise your eye health. Let’s take a look!
Don’t Dodge the Fruits and Vegetables!
When we’re children and teenagers, eating fruit and vegetables tends to be pretty low down on our list of favourite things. No matter how hard our parents and carers might have tried to sneak in the hidden veggies or dress up a healthy snack with chocolate, many of us still dodged fruits and vegetables as much as we could possibly get away with.
Of course, you would think that as we get older, we grow out of this habit – but that’s not always the case. In fact, it can be difficult to plan getting enough fruit and veg into our weekly meals. However, it is important to remember just how beneficial these products can be for our general and eye health!
Many fruits and vegetables, from carrots and tangerines to spinach, broccoli, and strawberries, are jam-packed with essential nutrients. Some are high in antioxidants like lutein and vitamin A as well as vitamins C and beta-carotene, all of which have been found to contribute to healthy eye function, protect against damage, and even potentially reduce the risk of common eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts!
Take Your Contact Lenses Out!
This might sound obvious, but it can be surprising how often this rule is overlooked: Always remember to take out your contact lenses! Of course, removing contact lenses can be easy to forget, especially if you’re getting home after a night on the town! But not doing so can lead to some nasty side effects and even permanent damage.
Not only does wearing your contact lenses for too long often mean serious discomfort and dryness, it can also significantly increase your risk of contracting an eye infection. Moreover, as contacts deprive the surface of the eye of oxygen, wearing them for too long could lead to corneal vascularisation (blood vessels growing into the cornea). These problems, while rare, are very real for contact lens wearers, and exceeding the recommended time limits only intensifies the risk.
Be Mindful When Using Eye Drops
You might choose to use eye drops for a number of reasons. For example, after Laser Eye Surgery, you will be prescribed lubricating eye drops to help with post-treatment dry eyes. Those who suffer from hay fever or other allergies may find relief from products such as sodium cromoglicate eye drops, which can help to soothe symptoms such as red and itchy eyes; however, these should be used sparingly and only as instructed.
While they can be beneficial in the short term, prolonged use can actually make your eyes more irritated. Of course, it sounds obvious that you should be wary when putting any chemicals in your eyes, but this can be easily overlooked when you’re using a medical product. Always be sure to read the information sheet and check with your doctor, optician, or a pharmacist if you are unsure or are experiencing any side effects.
Keep Those Peepers Sheltered!
We all know from a very young age that we shouldn’t look directly at the sun – even with sunglasses. But actually, this rule isn’t exclusive to the shining star in the sky. In fact, looking directly at any bright light source – including artificial light – can be bad for our eyes. Bright lights can cause damage to the cells of the cornea, potentially causing them to blister and crack. In turn, this can result in dryness, irritation, and a ‘gritty’ feeling in the eyes.
While these effects tend to dissipate after a few hours, it is important to be mindful. Too much exposure to bright light and UV rays can cause permanent damage to your eyes. So, if you’re out and about on a sunny or bright day, always remember to wear effective sunglasses, and avoid spending too much time on bright computers or phones!
Use Cucumber Like a Film Star
Yes, we have all seen film stars in Hollywood movies relaxing with cucumbers on their eyes while spending the day at a spa or a sleepover with a friend. But does this actually do anything for our eyes? Well, according to research, placing cold cucumber slices over your eyes can indeed help to reduce puffiness, irritation and, thanks to the fruits high water content, provide a cooling effect! What’s more, cucumbers contain high levels of antioxidants that could help to protect against free radicals!
Looking after our eyes is essential for maintaining eye health and vision. There are many things you can do to ensure this, including the things mentioned in this list. But if you are wanting to correct a refractive error like short-sightedness or long-sightedness, then we can help. Get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today to find out if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery.