Eye health is an important – and often overlooked – aspect of wellbeing. We rely heavily on our eyesight, yet often forget to prioritise its care. Whether it’s staring at screens for hours on end or neglecting regular check-ups, our eyes can often feel the negative impact of modern, busy lifestyles.
At Reynolds Opticians, we’re passionate about promoting good eye healthcare and helping people preserve their vision. Here are some of our top eyecare tips to prevent damage and keep your vision in the best possible condition:
How to Improve Your Eye Health
Recognise the Importance of Regular Eye Exams
The cornerstone of good eye care begins with regular eye exams. These tests are not just for individuals experiencing vision problems; they’re crucial for everyone to prevent issues. Eye exams can detect problems early on, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more severe conditions. At Reynolds Opticians, we’ve invested in the latest diagnostic ophthalmic technology for our eye examinations, including Optomap Ultra-Wide field photography, Optical Coherence Topography 3D eye scans, corneal topography and the latest in digital spectacle lens dispensing technologies. Learn more about the reasons you should get an eye test, and how often to get your eyes examined, in our blog.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
What we consume directly impacts our eye health. A diet rich in nutrients can lower the risk of age-related vision problems. At meal times, incorporate leafy greens, fish, nuts, citrus fruits and carrots into your meals for vision-boosting benefits. Additionally, staying hydrated and avoiding smoking contribute significantly to maintaining healthy eyes as you age.
Using Glasses When Required
If you have been prescribed glasses or contact lenses, using them as advised is crucial. Ignoring corrective lenses can strain your eyes and worsen your vision over time. Whether it’s for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, wearing the right glasses can alleviate eye strain and enhance your vision.
Proper maintenance of your eyewear ensures that your glasses retain longevity. Clean your glasses regularly with a lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches and smudges, and store them in a protective case when not in use to avoid damage. When placing your glasses down, make sure to avoid putting them face down to minimise any damage. The same applies when using blue light glasses.
Protecting Eyes from UV Rays
It’s so important to ensure that you are shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays. Invest in quality sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to safeguard your eyes from potential damage. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts and other eye conditions, so never underestimate the importance of UV protection.
Carry Out Eye Health Exercises
Just like any other muscle, your eyes benefit from regular exercise. There are a number of eye relaxation techniques you can do, such as the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain. ‘Eye yoga’ can also reduce fatigue and improve vision flexibility, with exercises such as blinking, eye rolling and zooming in and out of focus to strengthen eye muscles.
Take Care of Your Eyes Today
It’s never too late to start prioritising your eye health. By incorporating these simple practices into your daily routine, you can maintain better vision and prevent potential eye issues in the future. Remember, small changes can yield significant results when it comes to caring for your eyes!
Find out more about eye health in our blog, or get in touch with our team for expert advice in eye and hearing care today!