Fun Fact: Did you know that the cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) has no blood supply? It gets most of its oxygen straight from the air. This is why sleeping in contact lenses can raise the risk of serious eye infections.
We rely on our eyes for almost everything we do, yet they are often the last part of our health we think about. A few simple daily habits can protect your vision for years to come, and it is never too early, or too late to start.
Why Eye Health Matters
Source: Health Direct
Your eyes are how you take in most of what’s around you, so vision affects almost everything you do: reading, driving, working, recognising faces, and moving around safely.
Illness, injury and ageing can all affect your eyesight, which makes it important to keep your eyes as healthly as possible. Poor vision raises the risk of falls and accidents, and it can make it harder to stay independent as you get older.
Eye health also reflects your general health. Eye exams can pick up early signs of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, sometimes before other symptoms appear.
Many serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, develop gradually and painlessly, so you may not notice a problem until vision has already been lost.
That’s why regular eye tests matter. Early detection and treatment can prevent or reduce blindness and vision impairment.
Did you Know?
- Children are more suspectible to eye damage from UV rays as their lenses are clearer and their pupils are larger. Therefore, more UV light reaches the back of their eye
- UV exposure has been linked to eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts
- Encouraging children to play outside can reduce the risk of developing short-sightedness. Time outdoors is great for growing eyes, as long as they are protected from the sun!
Tips to Protect your Eyes
- Wear a Hat – a broad-brimmed hat cuts the UV and glare reaching your eyes from above
- Wear polarised sunglasses – look for a pair that blocks UV, and reduces glare from water, roads and other reflective surfaces
- Wear protective eyewear for DIY and outdoor activities – mowing, trimming, drilling and sanding can all send foreign bodies flying, and safety glasses help prevent injuries
- Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night – a well-rested eye is a healthy eye
- Get regular eye checks – many eye conditions develop without early symptoms, so routine exams help catch problems sooner
- Ensure the lighting is appropriate for the task – good lighting for reading, screen work and hobbies reduces strain and tiredness
- Participate in regular eye exercises – taking short breaks to refocus on something in the distance gives your eyes a rest
- Blink frequently – blinking keeps the surface of your eyes moist, which is especially important when you are on a screen
Our team is here to help with your eye health and to coordinate care with an optometrist or ophthlmologist when needed.
