Keeping Your Eyes Healthy - A Carrot a Day?

In today's digital age, our eyes are under more stress than ever before. We spend a large portion of our waking hours staring at a brightly lit, mobile phone screen or a larger computer screen. And don't forget the big black entertainment box sitting in our living rooms!

So it's important that we take extra care to keep our eyes healthy in our busy, digitally bright lives. Although it's not quite as simple as just eating a carrot every day, there are ways to protect your eyes and maintain good eye heath!

Outlined below are three important steps to protect your eyesight and maintain good eye health:

Step 1: Exercise and diet

If your body is healthy, are your eyes more likely to be healthy? Yes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), regular exercise and eating a diet rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, lutein, vitamin C and E can reduce the risk of serious eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. In fact, studies have shown it can reduce age-related macular degeneration by up to 70%. So yes, eat carrots; and green leafy vegetables, fish, eggs, nuts, oranges and other citrus fruits.

Step 2: Self-awareness

Self-awareness? Or maybe eye-awareness is a better term. For example, if you've been staring at your computer screen at work for too long and you can feel your eyes begin to water and your vision is getting blurry, stop. In fact, stop, blink and try and find something green to look at (According to AAO, green is the most soothing colour on your eyes). It's also important you get enough sleep. A good 7-8 hours of closing your eyes is essential to ensuring your eyes get the rest they need.

Step 3: Visit an eye practitioner regularly

Lastly, prevention is the best medicine. Visiting your eye doctor for regular checkups can help put you at ease by ensuring your eyes are in good health. You will also discover any problems or symptoms early. Each person's eyes are unique and it's important to ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist questions when you have any. A trained professional will be able to help you identify some best practices to protect and maintain good eyesight, prevent serious diseases and keep your eyes healthy!

As the leading eye specialist in Northern Ireland, Optilase has board certified trained professionals. For more information, fill out an online enquiry form today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you protect and keep your eyes healthy.