The eyes are one of the most important organs within the human body. Not only do they allow you to see, but they also help to manage light signals that help to keep our internal body clock running.

Our eyes are also amongst the most vulnerable parts of our bodies, and they need protection to maintain and improve eyesight. We’ve put together our top five tips for day-to-day eye protection.

Screens

The advanced technological world we live in means screens are never too far away, and it’s not just laptops and desktops; screens are seen on smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and all around us at airports, train stations and cinemas. The glare of electric screens can eventually make our eyes strain, and furthermore can cause computer vision syndrome after prolonged use. Symptoms of this could include headaches, blurred vision, red eyes and fatigue.

It is recommended to keep your eyes at least an arm’s length away from a screen, and 16 inches away from handheld devices.

Sunglasses

One of the most known eye protection facts is that we should wear sunglasses, though many people are buying ones with no UV protection whatsoever. Exposure to UV rays overtime can deteriorate our vision, eventually leading to cataracts, macular degeneration and AMD, as well as noncancerous and cancerous growths on the eyes surface.

We should be buying sunglasses that block out at least 99% of UV rays, including UVA and UVB. The sunglasses screen should block out 75-90% of visible light, and lenses that are polarised are good for those who are often outdoors to help reduce glare.

Food

Did you know what we eat can affect our eyesight? You may have heard that carrots can help, but the real nutrients we need can be found in foods like broccoli, peas and brussels sprouts. Omega-3 fatty acids are also great for helping to decrease eye disease risks. This is because they are loaded with antioxidants that prevent the damage from free radicals.

It is recommended that greens should be eaten with every meal, if possible, and at least five to six servings of fish weekly.

Sleep

Lack of sleep affects more than just our physical, emotional and mental being. If our bodies are sleep deprived for a long period of time, eye fatigue symptoms can get worse. This could mean further irritated, sore, dry and watery eyes. Sleeping can also help to relax overworked eye muscles, despite rapid eye movement occurring whilst we sleep.

Adults are recommended to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night, or as regularly as possible.

Contacts

Did you know 3.5million people in the UK choose to wear contact lenses? Contacts can quickly cause infections and sensitive eyes if they are not cared for in the right way. Contacts that are cleansed or moistened with any substance other than what is provided could easily cause a serious problem. It’s also important to ensure contact lenses are stored in a fresh solution.

It is recommended to remove lenses for sleeping and naps, as well as opting for glasses instead once a week. Contacts can be kept bacteria-free by washing your hands before handling them and replacing them as prescribed.

If you’re looking for more tips on how best to care for your eyes and sight, we can help. For more information, please get in touch with the Viewpoint Vision team by calling us on 01744 646643 or via our contact page.