5 Ways to Look After Your Most Valuable Asset Your Eyes

Our eyes are one of our most important assets. Losing eyesight can have a devastating effect on your life, so it's vital that you look after your peepers with blue blocking glasses.

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Shield From Screens

Most of us sit in front of screens such as computer screens, tablets, phones, and televisions daily. Sunlight is made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light. When combined, it becomes the white light we see. Each of these has a different energy and wavelength. Rays on the red end have longer wavelengths and less energy. On the other end, blue rays have shorter wavelengths and more energy.

A light that looks white can have a large blue component, which can expose the eye to a higher amount of wavelength from the blue end of the spectrum. Almost all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina. This light may affect vision and could prematurely age the eyes.

We can protect our eyes from blue light by wearing blue light glasses, putting a blue light filter over screens, and limiting screen time.

Eat Eye-Friendly Foods

Eating a healthy diet can ensure good eye health. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E can help maintain good eyesight and ward off problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which occur with age.

A balanced diet high in green leafy vegetables, oily fish, eggs, nuts, beans, citrus fruit, and oysters is essential for good eye health and prevents obesity. Being obese can increase your risk of contracting type 2 diabetes - a leading cause of blindness in adults.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can harm your eyes in many different ways. Smoking causes dry eyes and increases the risk of cataracts. It also can cause optic nerve problems, leading to glaucoma, a disease that results in blindness. Smoking can double the risk of age-related macular degeneration

If you are pregnant, you mustn't smoke. Apart from many other diseases, smoking during pregnancy can cause premature birth, which may result in the baby having a serious eye problem called retinopathy of prematurity. This condition will give the baby permanent vision loss.

Protect Them From the Sun

Never look directly at the Sun, as it can cause severe damage to your eyes. You must wear sunglasses when the Sun is bright and make sure the glasses have the CE mark on them to ensure they are providing adequate protection against ultraviolet light.

Get Them Checked Regularly

It's essential to get your eyes checked every two years. Eyes don't often hurt when there is a problem, so getting regular checks ensures that issues are caught early and can be treated before they progress.

Some people are more at risk of eye diseases than others. People over 60, people with learning disabilities, those with a family history of heart disease, and people from certain ethnic groups are most vulnerable.

African-Caribbean communities are at a greater risk of developing glaucoma and diabetes. In contrast, South Asian communities are commonly affected by diabetic retinopathy, where the retina becomes damaged from complications of diabetes.