Looking After Your Eyes

It has frequently been shown in surverys that people fear losing their sight more than any other sense. Yet those of us with good vision often find it so difficult to imagine life without being able to see that we tend to take the gift of sight for granted. However, thousands of people around the world each day lose their sight through injury or disease. And that really means that we should be anything but complacent when it comes to looking after our sight. So here are a few things you might like to think about – many of which very simple – but which will help yo utake good care of your precious vision.

Eye safety

Almost 50% of eye injuries occur in the home. Incredible, isn’t it! And what is more astounding is that these accidents generally occur as a result of some DIY activity which went seriously wrong.

Occupational risks to eye health can be less obvious. For example, prolonged periods of work at a computer staring continually at the screen can result in what has become known as computer vision syndrome (CVS).

As for sports, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in the UK estimates that squash balls alone are responsible for no fewer than 2,000 hospital admissions each and every year.

The Sun

Many people are still unaware that their eyesight can be damaged simply through too much exposure to the sun. Yet in reality it is known that the ultraviolet component of sunlight may contribute to cataracts, damage to the cornea and even macular degeneration, a major cause of sight loss.

To keep your eyes protected in the sun, all you need is a pair of good sunglasses. They don’t have to be expensive, but they do have to provide good protection against ultraviolet light.

Food

A rapidly growing body of evidence seems to indicate that certain substances, called lutein and zeaxanthin, help protect the eyes against the harmful effects of the sun and may help prevent the onset of eye disease. Lutein and its variant zeaxanthin are found in a lot of everyday foods, including many fruits and vegetables such as oranges, peaches, melons, peas, sweetcorn, dark green lettuce… the list goes on.

Eye Problems

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, sometimes things do go wrong and sooner or later most of us will experience some kind of sight problem. Fortunately, the majority of these problems can be corrected by wearing a pair of prescription spectacles or contact lenses. Some of us, however, develop more serious conditions which may require more serious medical attention.

The development of some of these problems can be stopped if caught early enough.Others can even be cured. A few problems can neither be stopped nor cured, but their symptoms can often be significantly alleviated. Because of this, one of the best ways to look after your sight is to go for regular eye tests. The importance of regular eye checkups can not be understated.