The 8th October is World Sight Day. Shining a spotlight on the importance of eye care, and what it means to have care that is accessible, available and affordable to all.
Nearly everyone on the planet will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime, yet over a billion people still lack access to the services and treatments they need. World Sight Day is an annual reminder to #LoveYourEyes and an opportunity to join millions of people globally who understand the value of vision.
There are simple and easy things we can all do to keep our eyes healthy.
1. Follow the 20/20/20 rule to give your eyes screen breaks. When using a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, to avoid eye strain and headaches.
2. Spend time outside for your eyes to develop in a healthy way. Children should spend at least two hours a day outside. This also helps avoid developing nearsightedness.
3. Wear sunglasses outside. Make sure your sunglasses offer UVA and UVB protection to prevent radiation from the sun damaging your eyes.
4. Wear prescription glasses if you need them. You should wear your prescription glasses to see clearly and prevent your eyes from having to work harder which can lead to eye strain and headaches.
5. Check your cosmetics to avoid eye infections. Check the expiry date on eye makeup and replace your brushes regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria that could cause eye infections.
6. Exercise regularly to look after your eyes. Taking regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure which can affect your sight.
7. Eat a healthy diet for healthy eyes. Eating a balanced diet ensures you have the vitamins and minerals that are essential for maintaining healthy eyes.
8. Book an eye test to detect problems before they arise. An eye test can detect an eye condition even before it’s affected your eyesight, so even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your eyes, you should book a test.
9. Prioritise your eyes – you need them to last all your life. Put reminders in your calendar to have regular eye checks. You should have your eyes checked every 1-2 years.
