Tips To Keep The Eyes Healthy In This New Year

Tips To Keep The Eyes Healthy In This New Year

Foods Health LifeStyle

Most people have made resolutions for the new year, and these resolutions usually consist of ways to ensure healthy living and weight loss. With the buzz about staying healthy in the new year,75% of people with new year resolutions stick to them for a week, and less than half remain on target for up to six months.

If you are among those with new resolutions to care for their eyes to prevent conditions that may require treatments like laser eye surgery London, then you would find these eye care tips useful.

Eat healthy foods

Different information is available online and offline about diet and moderation, and sometimes, the information is conflicting. However, one thing is certain, good and healthy foods improve eye health. Here are some foods and how they affect your eye health.

  • Green vegetables

Green vegetables contain anti-oxidants and Lutein in large quantities, and these compounds are excellent at preventing macular degeneration. Ensure you have enough vegetables in your diet such as cooked kale, spring greens, spinach, broccoli spears.

  • Oranges

Oranges contain carotenoids, an essential photoreceptor found in the retinal, particularly the rods used for night vision. Carotenoids also help in the prevention of macular degeneration. You may opt for papayas, apricots, cantaloupes, mangoes, pumpkin and carrots because they contain important nutrients that improve eye health.

  • Saffron

Saffron contains a type of carotenoid called crocin. This substance reduces the risk of blindness from macular degeneration and has a reducing effect on an inherited condition known as retinitis pigmentosa. Saffron may have an anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effect.

  • Spices

Chillies and paprika contain large amounts of carotenoids, Xeazanthine, and Lutein. These compounds help protect the eyes from macular degeneration. These spices also contain capsaicin, an anti-inflammatory compound.

Take supplements containing omega 3

Most foods are rich in omega-6 fatty acids with only a little or no omega 3. The ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 in diets is 1:1, but most found have these compounds in the ratio if 20:1. As a result of this, people have different illnesses like high cholesterol, joint problems, and arterio-sclerotic heart disease.

Deficiency in omega 3 may cause dry eye and meibomian gland disease. The Meibomian glands produce oils which mix with tears to prevent drying of the eyes in windy conditions. Re-engineered and re-esterified omega 3 supplements are better because they get absorbed easily and benefit the body.

  • Have your eyes thoroughly examined

Ageing brings about several eye diseases and conditions. At about 45 years, people have at least one eye condition, and at the age of 60, they have at least two eye conditions, while those at 80 years have at least three eye conditions.

Most eye conditions may not show signs early, but an eye doctor can detect them during an eye check-up and treat them before they cause more harm. Having regular comprehensive eye check-ups with an ophthalmologist or optometrist is essential for this reason.

If you are up to 40 years, ensure you visit your eye doctor yearly for an eye examination. About 2% and 10% of those up to 40 and 70 years respectively have glaucoma. Glaucoma suddenly causes loss of vision in most people, so it is better to prevent it.

Protect your eyes

  • Physical protection

If you engage in contact sports like squash where you have a high risk of getting a ball injury, ensure you wear eye protection like glasses made of tough polycarbon material. This material is also used to make bullet-proof glasses. You can either get blind or have an irreversible injury from playing a contact sports, so ask your eye doctor to recommend suitable protective eyewear.

  • Sunglasses

The loss of layers of the Ozone layer and issues concerning global warming has led to an increased release of UV radiation, and this can cause eye injury. UV radiation increases the risk of macular issues and cataracts. Ensure you wear UV protection sunglasses when outdoors.

Consider Laser eye surgery

Most people require either contacts or glasses to see clearly. Although these optical aids help improve vision, they have problems like the stress involved in always carrying solutions and cases. Carrying out certain activities like swimming or taking a shower with contact lenses is dangerous as they could cause Acanthamoeba infection in the cornea. This condition is quite painful, and if diagnosed late, may cause blindness.

For various vision problems, you can undergo laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery has been a viable treatment close to 30 years to correct various vision impairments. With an experienced eye surgeon, you have nothing to worry about, and you would have a permanent fix for the eye condition.

You can contact Optimal Vision on 020 7183 3725 to book an appointment for your laser eye surgery in the UK with an experienced Dr Amir Mani eye surgeon.