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May 23, 2019 in Nutrition & Health

8 TIPS FOR HEALTHY EYES

Not only are our eyes our windows to the world, but from birth to old age, 80% of our learning happens through visual processing.  

Screen activity has rapidly increased, and now more than ever we find ourselves constantly looking at LED lit screens. It has never been more important to take care of our eyes. Vision loss and sight problems are mainly influenced by environmental factors, which is good news because for us.

Here are a few tips that can give you the best chance of maintaining a crystal clear view of the world for years to come:

Eat foods with omega 3 fatty acids, lutein, beta carotene, zinc and vitamins C and E - in particular, leafy green vegetables, fresh oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod, anchovies and trout) high protein foods (almonds, cashews and eggs) citrus fruits and berries.

Take regular breaks from your devices – constant starting at screens can lead to straining, dry eyes as well as headaches and back and shoulder pain. Every 20 minutes look away from your screens for at least 20 seconds, if you’re working than 2 hours, take a 15-minute break.

Get moving – vision impairment conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration have been linked with sedentary lifestyles. Exercise improves blood flow to the retina and optic never which is essential for healthy eyes.

Check your family history – eye conditions such as near-sightedness, farsightedness and colour blindness are all strongly linked by genetics, although glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts can be attributed to both hereditary and environment influences. If you do have a family history of eye conditions, following all the tips we’ve outlined can significantly lower your chances of developing these.

Maintain a healthy weight – obesity has been linked with cataracts, glaucoma, maculopathy, and diabetic retinopathy.

Get regular eye checks – all children should have an eye exam before kindergarten. Vision loss or sight problems from the age of three are not uncommon and can lead to attention loss in the classroom. Everyone is different and vision loss can occur at any time.

Wear sunnies – UV damage is just as bad for our eyes as it is for our skin. Too much sun exposure to the eyes can result in cataracts and macular degeneration.