As this is Eye Injury Prevention month, here are five tips to help protect your eyes.
1. Regular eye health checks
Be sure to have regular eye health checks with an ophthalmic practitioner. Catching potential problems at an early stage makes all the difference for the best possible outcome. Have your eyes tested every two years, unless there’s a family history of the likes of glaucoma, in which cause more frequent tests are recommended. Eye tests also reveal other health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or even cancer.
2. Safety first
While doing DIY jobs be sure to protect your eyes with safety goggles. Always be alert to the risk of flying objects from the work you are doing. This includes using power tools through to simply pruning bushes in the garden, even garden canes pose a dangerous risk to eyes.
3. Healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet and stopping smoking will all help protect your vision. Nuts and seeds, along with a wide variety of colourful vegetables (especially leafy green veg and yes, also carrots) and omega 3-rich fish are all great to include in your diet. Did you know that you are also twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration if you’re a smoker and your chances of developing cataracts is also increased.
4. Screen breaks
If you’re on a computer a lot, regular screen breaks are a must. The NHS recommends adopting the 20-20-20 rule: “Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain”.
5. Eye hygiene
Be aware that cosmetics have a shelf life. As a general guide, mascara should be used for around three to six months. Pencil eyeliner can last anything up to around 18 months if sharpened regularly. However, liquid eyeliner should usually be replaced after 6 months. Do remember, that if you’ve had an eye infection then it’s best to discard any eye products used at the time of infection. Think hygiene first when it comes to putting anything near the eyes, and that includes when placing contact lenses. And always buy lenses from a reputable source.
More Advice For Eye Injury Prevention Month
If you do happen to suffer an eye injury, the NHS has some great advice here.
And if you’d like to sort out the fact from fiction in regards eyes, then take a peek at The College Of Optometrists website.
In this week’s issue of The People’s Friend (October 29), our health writer, Jackie Mitchell, discusses retinal detachment and the importance of swift action. This is available to buy online, in most major supermarkets and newsagents, or subscribe to get every issue delivered straight to your door.
And be sure to check out our timely advice for driving safely in the dark as the clocks go back.
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
