Protect your vision with these simple lifestyle tweaks
1 Eat smart
Certain foods support our eyes. ‘A healthy diet rich in beta-carotene, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of vision loss from conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD),’ says optician Tina Patel from Feel Good Contacts.
Eat the rainbow – orange and red fruit and veg, as well as leafy greens, such as kale and spinach. Eggs are great for eye health, and for omega-3, eat oily fish such as salmon, plus flaxseeds and walnuts.
2 Get checked
Visiting your optician is vital, even if you don’t wear prescription glasses or lenses. ‘It’s advisable to have an eye test every two years, but your eyes should be tested more frequently if advised by your optician,’ says Tina. ‘Even if you aren’t due a test, you should see an optician if you notice any changes.’ Having eye checks can even spot brain tumours early.
3 Prioritise sleep
Lack of sleep can result in eye bags, eye twitches and dryness. ‘Sleep is essential for letting the eye muscles relax and reset, while replenishing eye hydration,’ says optometrist Nicola Alexander-Cross. ‘It also allows the eye’s retina to complete the “visual cycle”, whereby the nerve receptors essentially take out the trash overnight.’
4 Wear shades
‘Sunglasses protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light and can delay the onset of some eye conditions, such as cataracts, macular degeneration and photokeratitis,’ explains Tina.
Pick carefully, however, as fashion sunglasses may not be up to the job. ‘Choose a pair that fits well and pro
