Eye Health Tips

Keeping up with regular eye checks is important, but also what you eat and the way you live can contribute to healthy eyes. Ask our Optometrists about how simple lifestyle choices can lead to healthier eyes.

Check out some of our eye care tips below to help maintain healthy eyes.

HEALTHY HABITS FOR YOUR EYES

Diet is an important part of the daily lifestyle choices you make. Fuel your body with quality protein and fresh fruit and vegetables, keep hydrated, and watch your sodium intake for better eye health.

Foods that are good for your eyes include:

Oily fish - salmon, herring and sardines for their Omega-3 fatty acids
Fruit - blueberries, prunes, raisins and strawberries as they are rich in antioxidants
Leafy green vegetables – spinach, broccoli and kale for their essential vitamins and minerals
Eggs - for fatty acids, lutein, B-vitamins and zinc
Dark chocolate – for its antioxidants and flavonoids
Garlic – which can enhance blood flow and boost the immune system

STAY ACTIVE

Some eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, are also associated with lack of activity and exercise, so keeping fit can help keep your eyes in good shape. How much you do is up to you, but even adding a brisk walk to your daily routine is beneficial.

REFRESH YOUR VISION

Working for hours on a computer, tablet or mobile phone can lead to computer eye strain, as they’re fixed on the screen at a specific distance for long periods. Take a few moments to refresh your eyes by following our tips. If you still find that your eyes are tired and sore at the end of the day, it might be time for an eye test, even if you’re not due for one.

Take a brief 20 second break every 20 minutes to rest your eyes by focusing on something 20 metres away. It can help relieve screen-induced eye fatigue. Limit your children’s computer and gaming activity to 45 minutes a session.
Blink frequently, as it helps you avoid dry eyes and irritation.
Order anti-reflective coating on your glasses to minimise glare.
Avoid lighting that’s in your direct line of sight or reflects off the screen.
Place any reference or reading material at the same distance as your screen so your eyes don’t have to readjust.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS WITH YOUR SUNGLASSES ON

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the eye, including contributing to diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts and cancer of the eye or eyelids. When you’re outside during the day, wear sunglasses to help reduce the risk of eye sun damage and harmful UV rays.

We can help you select the right pair of sunglasses to suit your lifestyle, including options with polaroid filters and tint colours. It’s recommended to wear a brimmed hat when you’re outside during the day, to catch those UV rays your sunglasses don’t stop. If you wear prescription glasses, please remember that 85% of our sunglasses can be fitted with prescription lenses and they’re 100% UV protected, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for perfect vision.

PREVENT DRY EYES

Fish oils are an important part of your eye-health diet. Rich in omega 3, they can help improve the oil layers in your tears which may assist to manage dry eyes. Warm compresses over the eyes may also help to manage the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. We also offer dry eye assessments in selected stores. Some locations have access to advanced dry eye technologies that can support the assessment and management of dry eye disease, where clinically appropriate and recommended by the treating optometrist.

LOOK INTO YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

Some eye conditions can be genetic. Here are some of the most common hereditary diseases and conditions:

Achromatopsia can be inherited from both parents, resulting in decreased vision, sensitivity to light and losing colour from your vision. Tinted lenses can help alleviate the sensitivity
Colour blindness - a misleading term as people called colour ‘blind’ are actually colour vision deficient. There’s no treatment and the majority of people adjust to the condition. It affects approximately 1 in 10 men, with women rarely affected. A difficulty in distinguishing between red and green is the most common type - blue and yellow may also cause confusion
Retinitis Pigmentosa - an inherited eye disease resulting from a mutated gene that causes the retina to degenerate. It usually appears in childhood but vision issues don’t occur until the late teens and early twenties. This disease can cause people to become legally blind by the age of 40

REGULAR EYE CHECKS FOR HEALTHIER VISION

We can take our eyes for granted, when we should celebrate what they do for us. We recommend scheduling an eye test every year. Some of us may need to be tested more often if we have particular eye conditions. If you have a family, why not make it a family outing and get tested at the same time.

Book an eye test today based on your eye health needs.

FIND A STORE BOOK AN EYE TEST

This information is for educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional if you have any concerns, or questions, regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you read on this page.