Although the week of Sept. 18 – 24 is National Eye Health Week in the UK, we thought it would be a good idea to celebrate protecting our precious seeing organs in the U.S. this week as well.
According to the National Health Service across the pond, there are several important ways to look after your eyes (get it?). The following is from their Vision Matters website:
The week, which has been established to communicate the importance of good eye health under the banner “Vision Matters,” encourages people from every walk of life to take better care of their eyes and have regular sight tests. Regular sight tests are essential for maintaining healthy eyes but there are other things you can do to look after your eyes.
Diet – Studies show that what we eat can affect our vision. Antioxidants can help to prevent retinal damage. One anti-oxidant which is hugely beneficial is lutein.
Foods recommended for eye health include: Broad leaf greens such as kale and spinach; brightly-colored fruit and veg such as corn, carrots, orange sweet peppers and oranges; oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel; broccoli; and eggs.
Exercise & eyesight – Lack of exercise contributes significantly to several eye conditions, particularly amongst people aged 60 and over. Exercise may reduce the risk of sight loss from narrowing or hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health conditions which can have a detrimental effect on your eye health.
Smoking – After aging, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. Smoking also increases your risk of developing cataracts.
The sun – Protecting your eyes from the sun is very important and should not be underestimated. Under no circumstances should you ever look at the sun directly. Your sunglasses should have the CE mark on them which ensures that they are giving you the right level of ultraviolet protection.
In addition to all that, wearing eye protection while doing any activity that may result in something bad landing in your eye, be it wood chips, sparks or chemicals, is a must. Safety glasses are underrated piece of personal protective equipment. We at Country Culture highly recommend you invest in a pair.
Also, some time this week to use your eyes to appreciate the world around you. Slow down and observe things. As autumn approaches, this is a great time to pay attention to the way things naturally change.
