10 top tips to keep your eyes as healthy as possible

When it comes to the health of our eyes, we’re all guilty of taking it for granted. The majority of us adopt an ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude and carry on as we are.

But what would you do if your next visit to the optician revealed a potential problem? Our vision creates a significant amount of our memories… imagine not being able to make any more.

Here at Ralph Carr Opticians we strive to provide our patients with as much information as possible regarding their eyes so that they’re able to keep them in the best health possible. For that reason, we have come up with our top 10 tips for caring for eyes.

Quit smoking – Everyone knows it’s hard to give up smoking; it’s a massive life change. However, if you give up smoking you won’t only be able to taste and breathe better, you’ll also be able to see better, and for longer (smokers are four times more likely to go blind in old age).
Be more active – It’s common knowledge that exercising is great for the waistline and the mind – you release endorphins which put you in a great mood. But did you know that exercising also reduces the pressure in your eyes, decreasing your risk of developing certain eye diseases by up to 70%?
Protect your eyes from the sun – As well as being a great fashion accessory, sunglasses also protect your eyes against harmful UV rays given off by the sun. This reduces your chances of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and even skin cancer around the eyes. Remember: sunglasses are only beneficial if they offer 100% UVA & UVB protection.
Know your family history – If a member of your family has suffered from an eye condition at some point, you could be at a higher risk of developing it yourself. For that reason you’re strongly advised to speak to close family members before your next visit to the optician to find out if they have ever had any problems. Please note: It’s always worth mentioning if a relative has diabetes as this can lead to glaucoma.
Get more anti-oxidants – Consuming lots of vitamins will have a huge benefit to your overall health. Vitamins A, C and E will also help to maintain healthy tissue and cells in your eyes. So start munching on oranges, kiwis, spinach and broccoli; they’re all great sources.
Eat some eggs – Everyone knows eggs are a great source of protein, but did you know they also contain lutein and zeaxanthin in their yolks? Both of these help to protect the pigment – the coloured part – of your eyes.
Visit your optician regularly – Yes, this is an obvious one, but it’s extremely important. The majority of eye conditions don’t have any obvious symptoms. Additionally, opticians can also test your general health with their equipment today, not just your eyes. So if you haven’t been to your optician in more than 12 months, book an appointment as soon as possible.
Eat plenty of fish – Commonly referred to as ‘brain food,’ oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are high in omega 3 and great for brain function, joints and even your eyes. Including plenty of fish in your diet can actually lower your risk of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Protect your eyes at work – If you work in an office, you may think there’s few threats posed to your eyes; but you’re wrong. Staring at a computer all day long can be harmful to your eye health, so it’s important to take regular breaks. If you wear spectacles, you should also ensure they have a blue light filter.For those who work elsewhere, specialist eyewear is available for factory/industrial environments, and sunglasses should be worn when working outdoors.
Have fun – Life is full of rules and while the previous nine tips include minor lifestyle changes, it’s extremely important you still leave time to enjoy yourself. So go out with friends, eat foods you enjoy and take part in activities that make you happy.

If you would like any further information about any of the tips we have provided please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can find our telephone number at the top left hand side of our website.