HEALTH Top tips for healthy eyes

Eye up a healthy 2014


Health
Clodagh McGovern

It’s very easy to develop bad habits, and indeed, many of us develop several during the course of our lives! However, often times, the New Year provides just the right opportunity to check those habits and create better ones.  
Our eyes are very rarely without a job. Often at work and when we’re relaxing, they’re focusing on computer screens, reading or watching TV. So, it’s really important we look after them.
The easiest way to take good care of your eyes is to follow some simple steps and ensure you stick to them – in essence, some good habits for your eye-care routine.
Take breaks
As most of us spend a lot of time in front of a laptop or computer screen, it’s really important that we avoid spending too much time at a VDU without a break, and also ensure we sit 50-60 cm away from the screen itself. If you can, try to take a break from your computer screen, even a short one, every 20 minutes to half hour.

Protect your peepers  
Make sure you wear your prescription, either in the form of contact lenses or glasses – and ensure you wear eye protection for DIY activities and at-risk sports… remember that UV protection is as important for eyes as sunscreen is for skin. 

Feed them well
Like many other good general health habits, drinking plenty of water, giving up smoking and eating a healthy, balanced diet all play a role in good eye health. Foods specifically noted for eye health include oily fish, nuts and green leafy vegetables, foods containing zinc, like red meat or rye oats, as well as strawberries, kiwis and oranges, which are foods high in vitamin C. 

Stay clean
An obvious thing to avoid? Rubbing your eyes! Debris can be easily removed with an eye-bath or eye-wash.  Always ensure your hands are clean, to help reduce the spread of colds, runny eyes and eye infections – for contact-lens wearers, washing your hands is a must before handling your lenses.

Regular tests
Finally, I advise my patients to ensure they book a regular eye test (at least every two years)  and arrange to see me if they have any concerns – eye-care should never be taken for granted.  Also, be aware of any genetic or family eye conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, and take professional advice from your optician on how best to prevent or delay onset.

Clodagh McGovern is an optometrist, and proprietor of Eye World Opticians based in Westport.