Today sees the start of National Eye Health Week 2019 – which is run by the National Eye Research Centre in Bristol. As we’re all about providing excellent eye care, here are few tips on keeping your eyes healthy – and how we can help too.
Drink plenty of water
Yes, we’re saying it too. Keeping well hydrated can help if you have dry eyes. Dry eyes can be caused by all sorts of lifestyle factors and medical conditions and we’ll advise you if you need eye drops as well – but plenty of water is a great start.
Smoking doesn’t help
Smoke is an irritant to your eyes – it’s why your eyes sting if you get bonfire or barbeque smoke in your eyes. Smoking is one of the major causes of Age Related Macular Degeneration – the most common visual impairment in the UK. We’ll leave that fact there.
Take your eye health seriously
An eye test really can save your life. Move booking the appointment up your to do list and make an appointment. Remember that parking is free by the shop and you can reward yourself with a rather brilliant coffee from Fade to Black next door afterwards (they didn’t ask us to write that!).
Our EYES on St Albans optometrists are all hospital trained (4 years plus continuing professional development) and we invested in the best testing equipment available when we opened. An eye test can help detect high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, tumours, strokes, autoimmune disorders, and in some cases multiple sclerosis, as well as eye problems such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
If we find anything, we’ll explain it all and make sure you leave with a clear plan of what you need to do next
Wear sunglasses
This applies to adults and children – wearing good quality sunglasses can help keep your eyes healthy for longer. We wrote about the best sunglasses lenses earlier in the year and also the difference that varifocal sunglasses can make throughout the year. As autumn brings later sunrises and earlier sunsets, make sure you where sunglasses for driving too.
Tell your optician what you think they need to know
Whether it’s your first or a repeat appointment, your optician needs to know
- What’s brought you into your appointment today
- Any medication that you’re on (all consultations are in complete confidence and kept on secure medical records),
- Any previous eye problems you may have had, such as a squint, lazy eye, eye surgery, accidents or trauma to the eye or eye socket
- Any family history of high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes or other eye problems
- Whether you wear contact lenses as well as glasses (or would like to)
- What you do for a living, your lifestyle and any hobbies
This will enable them to provide you with the best possible care and advice
Come back for your follow up appointment
After your eye test you’ll be told when you should have your next follow-up/check up appointment. As we get older the chances of getting eye health related issues increase so don’t forget to come back.
Eat carrots
They’re delicious and good for you. They probably won’t do anything extra for your vision (apart from add a bit of Vitamin A to your diet which always helps) but they’re excellent with a Sunday roast and one of your five a day.
Get in touch
We’re offering complimentary eye tests for any appointment this Eye Health Week 2019 – that’s the 23rd to the 28th September this year. To book, email us at look@eyesonstalbans.com and we’ll be in touch to fit you in. We have limited appointments so it is first come, first served.
Colour Blind Awareness Day 2019
[…] – they’re looking at eye care and eye health this year. As we wrote in our last blog on eye health, regular eye tests are crucial for maintaining your sight. We know it’s really easy to let […]