National Eye Health Week occurs every year in September and is used to promote the importance of good eye health and why everyone needs regular eye examinations.
There are many lifestyle factors that can have an impact on your eye health, as well as common eye conditions that can develop with age, other health issues, or a family history of eye conditions.
Nutrition
Studies have shown that what you eat can have an impact on your vision. A poor diet low in vitamins and minerals can put your sight at risk. However there many fruits, vegetables and wholesome foods that are rich in the nutrients needed to help keep your eyes healthy and protect your sight.
Here is a list of eye health friendly foods:
- Oily fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Leafy green vegetables are rich in carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin which help to prevent age-related eye diseases.
- Blueberries and grapes contain anthocyanins which can help improve your vision at night.
- Eggs are rich in amino acids and lutein.
- Nuts and seeds contain vitamin E which is important for the maintenance of good eye health.
Exercise
Exercise not only keeps your body health but is also great for keeping your eyes healthy. There is some evidence that suggests exercise, along with a healthy diet and not smoking can help preserve vision.
By regularly exercising, the risk of sight loss caused by narrowing and hardening of arteries, high blood pressure and diabetes can be reduced.
Smoking
As well as ageing, smoking is one of the main contributing factors to developing macular degeneration and increases your risks of developing cataracts.
UV Protection
Whilst being out in the sun is important for getting a good dose of Vitamin D, it is equally as important to protect yourself from UV radiation. Make sure when you are out you wear a hat and sunglasses and ensure your sunglasses carry the CE mark or meet the British Standards as these will offer a safe level of protection from UV. Never look directly at the sun as this can cause irreversible damage to your eyes and can lead to blindness.
Regular Eye Examinations
Regular eye examinations at the recommended intervals are important for not only checking your vision for changes in prescription, but also for monitoring the health of your eyes. Our optometrists use high quality technology to take images and scans of the eye, allowing them to see in detail the different layers of the retina and macular. From these scans eye conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma can be detected in its earliest stages. This information is retained, and your optometrist will use previous data as a comparison at your eye examination, looking for any possible changes.
If you wish to discuss any concerns regarding your eye health, or feel that your vision may have changed please contact your local Eye Place for advice.