Wise Up To Eye Health

By Joy McCarthy Mar 2017 

Make it foresight ... not hindsight 

Health warnings are everywhere. You only have to switch on the TV or radio, read a newspaper or look online, and you'll be warned of the many dangers of life today. We're swamped with information about obesity, smoking, the dangers of binge drinking, etc, etc. But how often do you see advice on eye health? 

James and Michelle Sutton of Butterflies Eyecare in Banbury believe there should be more information and advice available on protecting one of our most important senses - our vision! 

Imagine never seeing another sunset or leaves changing colour in the autumn. What if you couldn't see your baby's first smile or watch as they take their first steps. The thought of being blind fills everyone with dread - yet the majority of us take our eyesight for granted and don't do enough to protect it. 

Holistic healthcare 

If you already look after yourself, eat sensibly and exercise regularly, you're half way towards looking after your eye health. What we eat is closely linked to eye health, so your diet is particularly important. 

Things like leafy green vegetables, sweet corn, leeks and broccoli, and oily fish rich in Omega 3 can help prevent eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts. 

What we eat is closely linked to eye health, so your diet is particularly important. 

Diabetes and eye sight 

More than three million people in the UK now have diabetes - that's almost a 60% increase in the past ten years. But did you know diabetes can cause blindness too? 

If diabetes is uncontrolled, you can suffer from blurred vision. And high levels of glucose will damage the blood vessels in the retina resulting in a condition called diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, you're also at risk of cataracts in the longer term. 

Practical precautions to protect your eyesight 

The sun's UV rays are damaging to your eyes and can cause age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Wearing hats with protective brims and good quality sun glasses is essential. 

Nowadays, good sun glasses don't have to cost a fortune and they're readily available in high street stores. Look for ones with a 'CE' mark that conform to the British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013. Don't forget your children's eye health and make sure they wear their hats and sunglasses too. 

Eye Health. The sun's UV rays are damaging to your eyes and can cause age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Wearing hats with protective brims and good quality sun glasses is essential. 

Accidents! 

Accidents happen - but a lot of accidents can be prevented. It's too easy to think 'it will never happen to me'. Until, of course, it does. In the workplace, health and safety rules help prevent accidents, but how many people take the same precautions at home? 

If you're a DIY enthusiast and use power tools, don't forget to wear safety goggles. Flying splinters of wood or metal are dangerous, and even dust from chemically treated timber will harm your eyes. Many paints or timber treatment products are extremely harmful and apart from being painful, just a small splash will cause serious damage to your eyes. 

Eye health vitamins and supplements 

Over recent years, studies have shown the value of vitamins and supplements on eye health. While there are a lot on the market, it's important to take ones that are specially formulated for eyes. Butterflies Eyecare recommends Viteyes. This range of supplements promotes macular health and helps reduce the risk of age related changes to your vision. 

Finally, if you take your health seriously, don't forget to book regular eye examinations with your optometrist. Like any medical condition, the sooner eye disease is diagnosed, the better chance there is of successful treatment.

Expert advice

Joy McCarthy
of Word-Right