9 Ways to Look After Your Eyes

1. Get your eyes checked regularly

You should visit an optician every two years, or sooner if advised. Eye tests not only check your sight, but can also spot problems like cataracts and glaucoma, which are best diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

2. Wear quality sunglasses

Whether you wear sunglasses purely for fashion or to shield your eyes from the sun, always make sure they are good quality and provide UV protection. Not only are your eyes at risk from harmful UV rays, but also the skin of your eyelids.

3. Avoid smoky places

Smoke, whether your own or from others, will have a drying and irritating effect on your eyes. Whenever possible it is best to avoid smoky rooms, particularly where smoke hangs in the air.

4. Blink to refresh your eyes

Try to blink every ten seconds to remove grit and other foreign matter from your eyes and to keep them lubricated and prevent irritation. This is particularly important to remember when concentrating on a task such as using a computer, which tends to lower your blink rate.

5. Choose healthy foods

Eating a sensible diet will benefit the health of your eyes. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, spinach and kale are particularly good for your eyes. Oily fish, like mackerel and herring are both good for your mind, and your eyes, with omega-3 fatty acids helping to prevent dry eyes.

6. Take regular breaks

Tasks that require intense visual concentration, such as using the computer, tend to keep your eyes focused at a fixed distance causing eye strain, tiredness and headaches. Taking a break of five minutes in every hour to rest your eyes will help prevent eye strain building up.

7. Improve your air quality

Dry air can affect your eyes and aggravate any existing eye problems. If you work in a dry environment, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If you use a fan to circulate air in warm weather, make sure it doesn’t blow across your eyes.

8. Treat dry eyes before they get sore

Eye drops are readily available over the counter. Use them before you sit down at your computer, or begin any other visually demanding activity, rather than waiting until any dryness or irritation has begun.

9. Don’t rub your eyes

You can irritate dry, sore eyes further by rubbing them. Try to resist no mater how irritated they become. If your eyes are sore, and you have no eye drops to hand, close your eyes and hold a damp cloth over them for a few seconds to cool and refresh them.

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