Our Top Tips for Happy Healthy Eyes
“Eat your carrots and you’ll be able to see in the dark!”
Anyone else fall for this kind of parental persuasion when they were young?
Well, it turns out Mother wasn’t kidding about carrots.
Due to the unprecedented surge in screen time brought about by the pandemic, many of us have been grappling with a host of issues related to eye strain. From the discomfort of dry, tired eyes to the challenge of focusing with blurred vision, we have been forced to contend with a range of symptoms that can make work and daily life more difficult. Other common issues include sensitivity to light and difficulty concentrating, as well as headaches, neck pain, and backaches. All in all, it’s been a challenging year for our eyes and our bodies as a whole.
It is important to consider the level of caution we exercise when it comes to our eyes. To assist you in this endeavour, we have compiled a list of pointers to ensure your vision is at its best, resulting in contented eyes.
Screens, screens, screens
Yes, we have all had enough of video calls – It is safe to say that we are all feeling a little burnt out on video calls, and even the founder of Zoom is no exception. While excessive screen time won’t necessarily cause permanent damage to our eyesight, it can certainly cause some discomfort and what is known as “computer vision syndrome.” Thankfully, there are steps we can take to avoid falling into the trap of staring at our screens for hours on end.
For starters, try positioning your screen so that the top is either at or slightly below eye level, and maintain a distance of about 40-70cm (or the length of your arm) from your eyes. It is also a good idea to play around with your screen’s brightness, contrast, text size, and colour profile until you find what works best for you.
Remember to blink
Yes, seriously. Indeed, it is imperative to note that blinking is an essential aspect of eye health. It is recommended that we blink between 15 to 30 times every minute, but prolonged screen time can significantly reduce this frequency. While eye drops can help alleviate dryness, it is crucial not to underestimate the significance of staying hydrated by consuming an adequate amount of water.
During the winter season, when radiators are often on full blast, it is advisable to open windows intermittently or use a humidifier to introduce some much-needed moisture into the air.
Get the light right
Although it is tempting to bask in the warmth of a sunny spot, the intensity of direct sunlight can be harsh on our eyes. For optimal visual comfort, it is best to position your workstation with a window to the side, avoiding distracting reflections and uncomfortable glare.
If the glare from fluorescent lighting causes discomfort, opting for softer, low-level lamps can help create a soothing, illuminated atmosphere. After all, a soft glow is more pleasant than a blinding glare.
Eat your eyes healthy
Taking care of our vision involves paying attention to our overall health, including what we eat. In fact, studies have shown that poor nutrition can contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that affects our ability to see clearly.
Thankfully, there are foods that can help protect our eyes and reduce the risk of damage to our retina. Carrots, for example, are a great source of beta-carotene which our body converts into Vitamin A. This nutrient is essential for keeping our eyes lubricated and improving our night vision. Other foods like peppers, spinach, and egg yolks also contain lutein, which can help prevent eye degeneration.
In addition to these foods, we can also get powerful antioxidant properties from Vitamin E found in leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and oily fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel. By making smart choices about what we eat, we can help nurture healthy vision and protect our eyes for years to come.
Fit for vision
Taking care of our bodies involves more than just the food we consume. It is crucial to stay active and limit screen time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only includes making wise dietary choices and controlling alcohol consumption, but also staying physically fit to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, or experiencing vision loss caused by narrowing arteries.
Surprisingly, smoking is the second leading cause of macular degeneration after aging, making it even more crucial to quit smoking to maintain good eye health.
Don’t forget your sunnies
As Children, our Parents would caution us to never gaze directly at the sun (when they weren’t busy trying to force-feed us carrots). And as usual, they were right – safeguarding your eyes from ultraviolet rays is a must. Our sunglasses collection boasts a delectable variety of polarised and custom-tinted lenses, all designed to offer full 100% UV protection.
Testing, testing
It is important to prioritise your eye health by scheduling regular check-ups with your optometrist. Typically, it is recommended to visit every two years unless advised otherwise. As we grow older, our eyesight may require additional support for specific activities such as computer use or driving.
If you find yourself needing different prescriptions for different tasks, it may be worth considering varifocals which allow you to view everything with one pair of glasses. Keep your eyes in tip-top shape by staying on top of your vision needs.
20/20/20 Vision
Here is a useful piece of advice we are really fond of the 20-20-20 rule. It is a simple but effective way to relieve eye strain caused by prolonged screen use. The trick is to take a break every 20 minutes and shift your gaze to an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
This gives your eyes a chance to rest and recharge. And guess what? There is an app that can help you set reminders for this handy practice. Give it a try and feel the difference it makes!
We all want to see the world – however big or small ours is – for as long as we can. As someone once said: