There were some myths about eye care that developed in the earlier in the 20th century. People believed that watching too much television (which was new at the time) would harm eyesight, or that eating carrots helped you see in the dark (a myth perpetuated by the military that were reluctant to talk about their stealth techniques). But while these myths about eye care were misleading the importance of eye care does need to be emphasised. We only have one pair of eyes which we must look after, because there are no possibilities for replacements.
- Our eyes should be checked by an optometrist at least one per year.
- Early detection and treatment of any eye issues is always beneficial. Many conditions will go unnoticed until the problem is too serious to ignore. But a professional optometrist can detect most problems in the very earliest stages.
- Report any changes in your eyesight to the optometrist. Make an immediate appointment.
- Peripheral vision will be affected by macular degeneration. If you notice any changes in your eyesight peripheral vision, if things seen out of the corner of your eye are not clear, then have this checked immediately. Early treatment of this condition can partly restore the damaged vision.
- Individuals who are diabetic have a higher risk of many vision issues. They should have more frequent check-ups.
- Ortho-K lenses are extremely effective for many short sighted patients. These are worn at night to provide reliable vision during the day, without the need for glasses. They also prevent the vision for further degeneration.
Daily Habits
- Use eye safety goggles when appropriate. These are reasonably cheap and will provide protection against many accidents. Have several pairs of safety goggles, one for each place of use.
- Avoid laser pointers, especially around children.
- Eat a healthy diet. Lack of nutrition will compromise eyesight.
- Wear good quality sunglasses outdoors. Good 100% UV glasses, preferably polarized, will block the UV light that slowly damages our eyes. As a bonus, they slow down the formation of facial wrinkles.
- Avoid situations where you go from extreme dark to extreme light.
- Avoid bright light from mobiles, computers or tablets when in bed. Dimmed screens and orange tinted glasses will help.
- If you work with computers, as many do, consider glasses that block blue and UV light.
Have your eyes checked on an annual basis.