Check your eyes for the "invisible disease"
Looking to protect your eyesight? There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best.
More than 300,000 Australians have Glaucoma, yet only half know about it. Glaucoma is known as the ‘invisible disease’ as it has very few symptoms until the condition is advanced.
In the name of raising awareness for better eye health, here are our top five tips for healthy eyes:
1) Get Your Eyes Tested – The most important thing to ensure good eye health is to get your eyes tested every two years. Even if you think your vision is fine, having a regular eye test can help to detect a number of conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure as well as manage potential sight-threatening diseases including Glaucoma. At Sparks & Feros, optometrists use Digital Retinal Photography to produce a high-resolution photograph of your retina, optic nerve and blood vessel. The benefit of this technology is that images can be kept on file and compared for any changes in your eye over time.
2) Dry Eyes? – Whether it be from staring at your computer or being in an air conditioned office, everyone can get dry, tired eyes from time to time. Using eyedrops before heading into the office can help with this issue. Avoiding exposing your eyes to direct air such as a car heater and hairdryer may also help. If the problem persists, you can visit an optometrist to see if you might need to be treated for dry-eye-syndrome.
3) Wear sunglasses – Dangerous ultraviolet light (UV) can cause damage to your eyes causing problems such as cataracts, degeneration of the macular and in some cases even skin cancer around the eyes. To protect your eyes you should always wear sunglasses that offer good protection when you are driving or outdoors.
The benefits of wearing sunglasses include protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays, reducing damage from glare, protection from wind, dust and debris and the noticeable reduction of headaches and eyestrain. Polarised lenses are a great option as unlike ordinary glasses, they eliminate 99.9% of glare from horizontal surfaces such as roads, water and snow.
4) Contact lens care – Keeping a contact lens case in your pocket or your purse creates a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s important to replace your contact lens case every two months and keep it in a clean, dry place. After you put in your contact lenses, make sure the solution is emptied from the case, then rinse and dry the case before you store your lenses in it again. Otherwise, disposable daily contact lenses are a great option.
5) Eat Fresh – Enjoying a nutrient rich diet with plenty of vegetables and leafy greens is important for healthy eyes. Choosing foods that are rich in zinc such as spinach and red meat as well as foods rich in omega-3 such as fish and nuts are a great choice.
