Six ways to look after your eyes in 2024

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The World Health Organization estimates that over 80% of all vision impairment around the world can be prevented and even cured. Reducing the risk of eye diseases involves adopting a combination of lifestyle changes, protective measures, and regular eye care. Here are six ways to look after your eyes in 2024. 1. Have regular eye testsGlaucoma, for example, will cause irreversible damage to the eye if not picked up early enough as it damages the peripheral visual field to start with.

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The Conversation

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https://theconversation.com/six-ways-to-look-after-your-eyes-in-2024-219441

Retrieved on:

Saturday, December 30, 2023

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UVA, UK

Summary

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The World Health Organization estimates that over 80% of all vision impairment around the world can be prevented and even cured. Reducing the risk of eye diseases involves adopting a combination of lifestyle changes, protective measures, and regular eye care. Here are six ways to look after your eyes in 2024.

1. Have regular eye tests

Glaucoma, for example, will cause irreversible damage to the eye if not picked up early enough as it damages the peripheral visual field to start with.
Eye disease linked to diabetes also causes irreversible damage to the eyes without much noticeable vision loss as it damages the small blood vessels in the eye.
Going for an eye test with a qualified optometrist will enable them to detect eye diseases and refer you to a specialist if needed.

2. Check your eyes at home

As most of us use both eyes at the same time, it can be difficult to know if one is not seeing so well.
Try covering each eye every week and look at a number plate in the distance to make sure both eyes are seeing well.

3. Protect your eyes from mechanical and UV damage

Make sure you wear good quality sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
In the summer, gardening accidents, such as getting caught in the eye with a twig when pruning are quite frequent and can cause permanent damage.

4. Reduce digital eye strain

While eyestrain does not normally cause permanent damage or affect your glasses prescription, it can be very uncomfortable.
Most people forget to blink when they are working on screens, and this leads to dry eyes.
To reduce this discomfort, try consciously blinking more often during screen time.

5. Have a good diet

While many of us know that vitamin A from carrots is good for the eyes, our eyes need more than vitamin A to function healthily.
A healthy diet is also linked to good control of diabetes, and poor control of diabetes will lead to a much higher risk of blindness from diabetic-related eye disease.

6. Quit smoking and be more active

Smoking is a significant risk factor for most systemic diseases in the body including the eyes.
Smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Exercise is not only important for the rest of the body but also for the eyes.

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