How to take care of your eyes in 2023
We use our eyes to see and experience the world around us, but what if that wasn’t possible anymore? We often forget how important our eyes are, so if there’s one message we want you to remember as the new year is underway, it’s not to take your vision for granted!
We want to help you maintain great eye health and vision for as long as possible, so here are some of our top tips on how to take care of your eyes in 2023 to improve your vision.
Eat well and eat right
Have you ever been told to eat vegetables and fruits for good eyesight? This is because a well-balanced meal and proper diet can give you the necessary nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and a variety of vitamins to promote good vision and eye health.
Why not incorporate citrus fruits like oranges as a healthy snack at the office, add green, leafy vegetables like kale or spinach, or proteins like eggs or nuts to your salads, and oily fish like salmon to your dinner? Your eyes will thank you as this may even lower your odds of developing certain eye conditions and help to prevent type 2 diabetes, which can also affect your vision.
Wear sunglasses
Whether it’s summer or winter, it is important to wear sunglasses all year round. Without this protective eyewear, cumulative UV exposure to your eyes over the years can increase your chances of getting age-related diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Wearing high quality sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection can block their harmful rays from penetrating your eyes and provide more visual comfort in the face of bright sunlight. We recommend wraparound styles for maximum coverage. Not only will you be helping your eyes, but we think sunglasses are always a great addition to any outfit while out and about!
Take screen breaks
We are inevitably spending more and more time continuously staring at computers, phones and tablets, day and night. Too much screen time can cause:
- Blurry vision
- Chronic neck problems
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Irregular sleeping patterns
This is commonly known as digital eye strain. You can help alleviate this at home by trying out the 20/20/20 method – every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at anything 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Kids in particular can benefit from this, but if their screen time is causing persistent problems, we do also recommend investing in kid’s blue light glasses with our popular HOYA Blue Control glasses lenses. Also great for adults, these help to relax the eyes and protect them from the effects of blue light while using screens.
Regular eye exams
We saved the best for last! It’ll come as no surprise to you that keeping up with your regular eye exams are a must for 2023! These enable our optometrists to monitor your prescription and eye health, and thanks to state of the art diagnostic technology, can often reveal early signs of potential problems that you may not have noticed yourself. This means they can take action to protect your vision and provide you with that extra peace of mind.
Contact our opticians – Whitley Bay
Have questions about your eye health or need further advice? Feel free to speak to our friendly staff or contact us to book one of the most comprehensive eye tests Whitley Bay has to offer at our practice!