When you think about health and hygiene, you may picture body parts that you can wash in the shower, not your eyes. Your eyes are delicate and finely tuned organs, so they need looking after too.

There are several ways to improve your eye health and hygiene. Here are some tips to help keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

Healthy lifestyle changes

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is well-known to be beneficial to your health. Your eyes can also benefit from eating properly. Load yourself up with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – leafy greens like kale and spinach are essential. If you like fish, halibut, salmon and tuna should be regular additions to your meal plans.

Being overweight can lead to a number of health issues, including conditions such as diabetes. Diabetes can lead to declining eye health, so avoiding that is helpful for your long-term eye health.

It can be hard to remember to go and get an eye test, but they are incredibly important. Getting regular check-ups means that any issues can be identified quickly. This can prevent any serious damage from unchecked conditions. If you struggle to remember appointments, set reminders on your phone in the lead-up to the date.

jojo having eye test

The NHS recommends that you should have your eyes tested every 2 years

What to avoid when wearing lenses

Contact lenses are a popular choice for corrective eyewear as they are discreet and flexible. Whether you wear prescription lenses or toric lenses, there are still rules that you need to follow to keep your eyes healthy.

Lenses should always be washed and stored in the correct solution, no matter what. Even if you use something clean like tap water, bacteria can still live on the lens and then get into your eye. This could cause irritation or sight issues.

If you are a makeup fan, remember to put your lenses in before you do your makeup. Not only will this help you to look flawless, but you will avoid getting any makeup residue in your eyes.

Even if you are on the brink of falling asleep, you should never sleep with your lenses in unless your optician has told you to. Sleeping with them in means your eyeball gets less oxygen and moisture which can lead to irritation and infection. When you wake up, your lenses will be dry and stuck to your eye.

If this does happen, gently massage your closed eyes to produce moisture. You can also use eyedrops to help with hydration. Once they feel back to normal, attempt to remove the contact lenses.

jojo wearing sunglasses

Extra tips

It may seem obvious but keeping your hands clean when touching your eyes as well as your lenses is a great habit to have. This will prevent any foreign germs or small bits of grit and dust from making their way into your eyes.

Wearing sunglasses is useful for protecting your eyes as well as the skin around your eyes. UVA and UVB rays have been shown to cause macular degeneration and cataracts with prolonged exposure. Skin cancer can happen around your eyes and even in your eyes, so sunglasses are the best way to protect where sun cream can’t go.

And try to limit screen time, especially if you work on a computer or stare at screens for long periods, follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.

It’s worth reiterating that a healthy you, helps your body and organs. Quit smoking, which can increase the risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Limit alcohol consumption, which can have negative effects on eye health.

Stay hydrated, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. All of which does wonders for your whole body.

 

jojo reads a book

How do you know if you need glasses?

There are obvious signs your eyesight is failing, particularly being unable to read a bus number from distance or struggling to read the small print. But also look out for these things:

Blurred vision: If you have difficulty seeing objects clearly, whether up close or far away, it may be a sign that you need glasses.

Eye strain or headaches: Straining your eyes to focus on objects or experiencing frequent headaches after reading or using screens could be a sign of vision problems.

Difficulty reading or seeing up close: If you find it hard to read small print or have trouble seeing objects up close, you may need glasses for nearsightedness or presbyopia.

Squinting to focus: If you find yourself squinting to see objects clearly, it may be a sign that you need glasses to correct your vision.

Sensitivity to light: If you experience sensitivity to light or glare, it could be a sign of an underlying vision issue that may require glasses.

Vision problems: By this I mean, your eyes tiring quickly, struggling to focus, double vision, difficulty adjusting from dark to light, and struggling to see at night.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine if you need glasses or if there is another underlying issue with your vision.