Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

On a daily basis, our eyes are exposed to a myriad of factors with which to contend. From eye strain, to high pollen count, to infection and computer screens, keeping your eyes healthy is no easy task. That being said, we’ve prepared a short list of tips for looking after your eyes:

• Never use old make-up on your eyes, share eye makeup or use old wands in new products as these increase the risk of infection. We have had many patients suffering with eye infections from applying out-of-date eyeliner and make-up, so give your make-up bag an overhaul and throw out old mascara and eye liner after six months.

• Try to take a break from staring at your computer screen: it's important to give your eyes a break to prevent headaches, blurry vision and dry eye. Also, try to keep your monitor dust and fingerprint free as both can reduce clarity and cause eye strain.

• Make sure you sit about 50 to 60 cm away from your computer screen and that there is no light reflecting off the monitor.

• If working for long periods in front of a monitor, try and take a break every 20 minutes to half an hour.

• Working in an air conditioned office or building can dry out your eyes even if you don’t wear contact lenses, making them uncomfortable and itchy but a little fresh air will help.

• Try and drink lots of water - as well as being great for your skin it can improve the moisture balance in your eyes, especially in air conditioned offices.

• If you have something in your eye, don’t rub it. The best thing to do is lift the upper eyelid outward and gently pull it down to cover the lower lashes causing tears to wash the object out of your eye. Lens wearers should take them out and clean them thoroughly.

• Sunglasses help keep your eyes healthy by protecting them from UV rays - not to mention being a must-have fashion accessory. This season we’ve seen an upsurge in popularity of our designer eyewear ranges from Chanel, Police and Prada. Ray Bans are also making a comeback.

• Eating certain foods rich in antioxidants can keep your eyes in good health such as, oily fish, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Other foods that help maintain healthy eyes are those containing zinc like red meat or rye oats, as well as strawberries, kiwis and oranges which are foods high in vitamin C.

• Have your eyes checked out as regularly as recommended by your optometrist (usually every two years). Optometrists can diagnose not just problems with sight, but major health issues too such as high cholesterol, liver damage and many others, so it’s important to have a regular, comprehensive eye examination.