With the recent rise in health and self care, we’re always hearing about the next great workout or the newest superfood, but have you ever thought about your eye health?
Until we find a way to stop the aging process, there are some easy things you can do to maintain ocular health as you grow older. The earlier in life you begin these habits, the better-but it’s never too late to start looking out for your peepers!
Technology Breaks:
Most of us spend a lot of time on devices which emit ‘blue light’ – a type of light similar to UV rays because it has a shorter wavelength. These rays aren’t great for our eyes; studies have recently shown that too much exposure to blue light can lead to early onset retina-cell death. It’s one thing to know this, but since we’re not going to put our phones down, what can we do to mitigate the damage? Our doctors recommend taking a short break from your screen every 20 minutes or so. They don’t have to be long breaks, just a few minutes away from work or out of the TikTok rabbit hole at a time. Perhaps a great opportunity to peep out and see what’s happening on the street? The important thing is to give your eyes a small break from being so close to radiation-emitting light.
You can also pick up glasses with a blue light filter, either on lenses with no magnification or added to your prescription. While the light filter won’t eliminate the need for breaks, it certainly won’t hurt to cut down on how many rays reach your eyes.
Sun Protection:
It’s all about the UV rays today! We love the sun, but by now we know that Mother Nature can overdo it sometimes. Rays from the sun are responsible for 80% of visible signs of aging; including changes like wrinkles, loose skin and moles around the eye area, but there are also far scarier problems that can arise from too much UV exposure. Macular degeneration, corneal sunburn, cataracts, and growths on the white of your eye (Pinguecula and Pterygia) are all undesirable results from sun exposure.
The best way to protect your peepers from the sun is with sunglasses. Not all sunnies are created equally, so look for sunglasses that provide proper coverage around the eye area and fit close to your face. If you’re not sure about the fit, come in and see us at Wellington Vision care, our licensed opticians will happily help you out. It’s also very important to invest in a quality pair of sunglasses to ensure that proper UV protection is built into the lens for optimal protection and not simply a film that’s applied to it. It’s also possible to get quality prescription sunglasses and even prescription ski goggles!
A Healthy Diet:
Like the rest of your body, your eyes need proper nourishment. Look for food sources high in Vitamin A to lower your risk of long-term eye diseases, kale, spinach, orange peppers, and eggs are all good eye-foods. The Vitamin E in Sunflower seeds, peanuts and hazelnuts can also help slow age related macular degeneration. Don’t forget your Omega-3 fatty acids! Salmon, tuna and trout can help protect you from glaucoma and dry eye syndrome.
Regular Eye Exams:
It’s a fact. Regular eye exams aren’t just about making sure you can read street signs. Many eye conditions are virtually symptom free but cause irreversible ocular damage if left untreated. Early detection may save you from permanent changes to your vision.
If you’re in Ottawa and you’re looking for an Optometrist, you can give us a call at 613-421-4880 or book an appointment with us online. If you’re not in Ottawa, we urge you to keep up with the visits to your local eye doctor.
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