Eye Health

The importance of eye health checks

Knowing how to keep your eyes healthy is vital to ensure you can live life to the fullest. To stay up-to-date with your eye health, at Opticare, we urge you to have regular eye exams every two years, or sometimes more frequently, depending on your age and the condition of your eyes. Our eye tests go beyond standard checking; our state-of-the-art 3D OCT scans detect the earliest stages of some of the most common eye problems. 

There is a common misconception that eye checks are only necessary for adults.  Having your child’s eyes tested is highly recommended to catch any problems in their vision that could help identify eye conditions, such as lazy eye, which can be effectively treated when detected early. It can also ensure that vision problems do not prevent children from getting the most out of their education. Over 80% of learning inside and outside of the classroom requires good vision.

How can you maintain your eye health?

Maintaining good hygiene

It’s important that everyone practices good hygiene habits. Parents should encourage their children from a young age to regularly clean around their eyes. Unless you thoroughly clean around your eyes, dirt could get trapped inside and cause infection and inflammation. This is why it’s necessary to remove makeup after wearage; it will greatly reduce your chances of suffering from an infection. You should also be sure to regularly throw away any old skin and makeup products because they are prone to bacteria, which will potentially irritate your eyes.

Spend time outside

There has been a rise in children struggling with myopia (short-sightedness). A way to prevent this onset progression is to ensure your child has plenty of time outdoors and reduce screen time. Spending time outdoors is good advice for adults too. It is important to stay active, especially if you are over 60, as it will significantly reduce the risk of sight loss due to narrowing and hardening of arteries, diabetes or high blood pressure.

Sunlight

When outside, keep in mind to protect your eyes from harsh sunlight. Looking directly at the sun can have a detrimental effect on your vision. The harmful rays can damage your retinas, lenses and corneas and expose your eyes to various diseases. We have more information about different eye diseases you may encounter below.

Cut back on alcohol and smoking

Excessive alcohol and smoking are also factors that can affect your eyes. Cigarettes can have a devastating effect on eye health; smokers have an increased risk of developing cataracts and developing macular degeneration. While drinking in moderation is safe, heavy drinking has been associated with accelerating age-related macular degeneration and can cause red eye and irritation.

Nutrition

You should also consider your diet; it impacts your eye health more than you might think. Maintaining proper nutrition and vitamins may protect you from developing conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration later in life. For further information, check out our page on nutrition and the eye.

Speak to us for personalised advice

Whether you seek general advice or personalised recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. You can give us a call, and one of our friendly professionals will be readily available to assist you. Alternatively, you can conveniently book an appointment online to schedule a conversation with our knowledgeable team.