How to maintain Healthy Eyes: our 5 top tips

You probably know that it’s important to look after your eyes and come for regular eye tests. But have you ever wondered what you can do in between your optician appointments to ensure you have healthy eyes?

Here at Brogans our team have selected 5 top tips to help you look after your eyes on a daily basis.

1. Keep on exercising!
   Regular exercise can significantly decrease the chance of your eyes developing diseases, such as macular degeneration. Even just going out for a 20 minute walk each day can keep your eyes healthy.
2. Eat the right things
   Despite the old wives’ tale, carrots will not help you see in the dark however some foods can keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of getting dry eyes too. Dark green leafy veg like spinach, kale, and cabbage contain anti-oxidants which can reduce your chances of developing macular degeneration and drinking plenty of water and eating oily fish or flax seeds have been proven to help with dry eyes.
3. Don’t smoke
   You’re probably already aware of the detrimental effects smoking can have on your general health, but cigarettes can also negatively affect your eyes. Your chances of developing retinal vascular problems, cataracts or macular degeneration are much higher if you smoke so ditch the cigarettes if you want to keep your eyes, and whole body healthy.
4. Protect your eyes from harmful rays
   If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors then you should be protecting your eyes. Even when it’s overcast, you are still exposed to harmful UV rays but investing in good quality sunglasses will protect your eyes from being damaged, slowing down cataracts and macular degeneration!
5. Follow the ‘20-20-20 rule’ when working on a computer
   If you work on a computer, or in an office environment, it’s important to regularly look away from your computer screen to prevent eye strain.
   Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

You can also protect your eyes from harmful blue light which is radiated by computer screens. Ask for ‘Blue control’ coatings for your spectacle lenses.