Protect & Care For Your Eyes This Autumn

29th, Oct 2021

Looking after all aspects of our health is important all year round. However, as the seasons change, there may be some aspects that you need to pay a little bit more attention to. Autumn brings dry eyes, allergies and shorter days meaning we face that low sun in the sky glare.

So, what can we do throughout the fall to help protect and care for our eyes? We have gathered some of the following tips:

Good eye health starts with the food on your plate

Getting a colourful variety of food onto our plates is essential for eye health. Foods like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like Macular Degeneration and Cataracts.

A well-balanced diet also helps you stay at a healthy weight. That lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases like type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Take breaks from the computer screen

As many of us are back to work and spend the majority of the day working in front of a computer screen to then spend time in the evening on our phones or watching the TV as the days get shorter and darker, screen time can really add up and this can cause eyestrain, dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches and neck, back and shoulder pain.

To help protect your eyes, make sure to create a comfortable working space, move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor, avoid glare from windows and lights and to avoid dry eyes, make sure to blink more throughout the day and try looking away from the screen every so often.  

If you feel eye strain or dry eyes aren’t going way, speak to your GP.  

Limit turning up your central heating unless necessary

As the weather gets colder, we automatically want to turn the heating on in our homes. Blow heaters, electric heaters, anything to keep us warm. However this can cause havoc to the skin and eyes. If possible, try to avoid turning the central heating on unless essential. If you do think your skin is starting to feel a little dry, invest in a good moisturiser and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. To help avoid dry eyes, consciously blinking more regularly is recommended. This will help renew tear film, which is important for protecting and moisturizing eyes.

Wear Sunglasses

As the sun begins to lower in the sky, and the days get shorter, we are faced with sun glare when driving home from work. The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays or invest in polarised lenses. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of Cataracts and Macular Degeneration.

Quit Smoking

This is a big one and doesn't just apply to Autumn! Studies show smoking increases the risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy and Dry Eye Syndrome.

Did you know… You are twice as likely to develop AMD compared with a non-smoker? And, you are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts?

Get Regular Eye Check Ups

Everyone needs a regular eye exam, even young children. Diseases such as AMD and Glaucoma often have no early symptoms, so an eye exam is the best way to spot this eye disease early. Catching these diseases earlier on are much easier to treat.

At Kingsbridge Opticians, our Optometrists are professionally trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision and diagnose and treat various eye diseases such as cataract or glaucoma.

If you would like to find out more, or you would like to book an appointment, please visit kingsbridgeopticians.co.uk

At Kingsbridge Private Hospital, our Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons are available to examine, diagnose and treat any concerns you may have with your eyes and surrounding areas.

Our services includes:

• Cataract Surgery
• Lens Implant Surgery (custom-made or multifocal)
• Cyst Removal
• Eyelid Surgery
• Squint Correction Surgery
• Treatment for Dry Eyes

To find out more about our Ophthalmology Services or to book an appointment with one our of Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, please visit kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com/belfast

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/good-eyesight
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/vision-loss-blindness.html