Dr Robert Petrarca asks: are you age-proofing your eyes?
PLPCO150822 Opening of the new Optegra Clinic in Kings Hill Kent
Just like the rest of our body, our eyes can become less efficient as we age. The natural lens of the eye becomes less flexible over time and therefore can’t change its shape as easily, making it more difficult to focus on objects both close-up and far away.
While we can’t stop this natural aging process from occurring, there are small lifestyle changes we can all make to ‘age-proof’ our eyes and ensure we have the best vision for as long as possible.
Top tips for healthy vision
- Eat well to see well – eating a balanced diet with plenty of coloured vegetables and oily fish can really benefit eye health. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C, found in many fruit and vegetables, can delay the onset of cataract and age-related macular degeneration, whilst salmon contains Omega-3 which can help prevent dry eyes. A great way for you to remember this is the ‘traffic light diet’ as food naturally rich in red, yellow and green colours are good for your eyes – think salmon, strawberries, tomatoes, melon, peppers and spinach.
- Protect your eyes – wearing sunglasses is extremely important as eyes are particularly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. People are aware of the damage that high UV can cause to skin with sunburn, but it is equally damaging to your eyes. Don’t worry on a bright winter day, but on the days when you could get sunburnt, definitely wear sunglasses as well as sunscreen. You should check they have the CE Mark and meet the European Standard BS EN 1836:2005.
- Keep moving – staying active is great for overall health and can also benefit your eyesight and vision. Low impact exercise can help to reduce eye pressure, which is a major factor in a sight-threatening condition, glaucoma, and exercise helps to relax your facial muscles and reduce eye strain. Also remember to wear protective eye wear when playing fast racquet sports – especially badminton and squash!
Opening of the new Optegra Clinic in Kings Hill Kent
Keep an eye on your mental wellbeing
Whilst keeping active is important, we know that for some people, poor vision can restrict certain activities which can in turn boost wellbeing.
At Optegra we carried out some research which shows that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of adults have had to stop a favourite activity or hobby due to poor vision.
Also that over half of British adults (54 per cent) believe having poor vision can cause anxiety and 55 per cent can feel in a low mood if they cannot see clearly.
My advice for both alleviating stress and helping your eyesight is to get as much fresh air and daylight as you can – being outside is a great boost to your wellbeing and can help you avoid becoming short-sighted as well.
And for those of you who really depend on glasses or contacts and find this is getting you down, medical advances mean there are so many vision correction options now, from laser eye surgery to lens replacement surgery – do reach out if you want a free consultation to discuss any of these options and see if they are suitable for you.
And finally, ask yourself, ‘how long has it been since my last eye test’? If more than the recommended two years, it’s a good idea to book soon with your local optician to keep a check on your eye health and make sure you are treating your eyes to the best possible care.
Dr Robert Petrarca is an Ophthalmic Consultant Surgeon at Optegra Eye Clinic Maidstone. His specialist interests include cataract and glaucoma surgery. He is also Regional Representative for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Tel: 0800 054 1971
