We’ve all suffered from a bad headache after a day of squinting in the sun. But it’s not just the sun that can be too bright. Car headlights, heavy cloud cover, and even the reflection of light on water can be enough to cause us to strain our eyes. So, how can we do more to protect our eyes and maintain their health?
Spend more time outdoors
Although scientists are unsure why, getting outside can actually reduce the chances of experiencing short-sightedness.
Outdoors, our eyes can see for miles, and this can benefit our eyes in plenty of ways. UV exposure from the sun is also known to reduce the chances of developing eye problems. According to one study, teens exposed to UV rays (say by going outdoors for two hours a day) are 30% less likely to develop short-sightedness.
Spend less time on digital devices
As we all know, digital devices such as tablets and smartphones emit low levels of blue light. As our eyes don’t absorb this type of light in the same way, it can damage our eyesight and cause eye strain. It’s recommended that we turn offour digital devices at least an hour before bed to help relax the eyes and get a better night’s sleep. But limiting our time on digital devices altogether can also greatly benefit our eyesight.
Extended exposure to blue light can cause plenty of eye issues and as these devices are usually held up close, it can lead to increased short-sightedness.
If you can, use your downtime to read a book or take up other analogue hobbies that don’t require your eyes to be constantly glued to a screen.
Accessorize with sunglasses and hats
While absorbing UV rays has some benefits to eye health, it’s still important to protect your eyes. Using sunglasses and wearing a sun hat will not only protect you from burning and sunstroke, it will also help to prevent serious eye problems including cataracts, dry eye, or pinguecula.
If you already wear prescription glasses and can’t find a pair of prescription sunglasses or bifocals, clip on sunglasses are the way forward. They can be easily attached onto your current pair of glasses in order to help protect your eyes without making everything blurry. You can check out a great range of clip-on sunglasses at just-glasses.co.uk.
Visit the opticians
While you might not notice a slight difference in your eyesight from day to day, an optician will be able to record any changes. Visiting the opticians regularly (usually once a year for adults, and more frequently for kids) will help prevent any issues developing further, while also aiding your eyesight if needed. It’s a good idea to keep tabs of any differences you’ve noticed; for example, sitting nearer the computer or TV, headaches, and squinting, as these are all tell-tales signs that it’s time to change your prescription. If you’re concerned about how to maintain your eye health, or want to know more about the options for reading glasses, bifocals and prescription sunglasses, consult your optician before making any changes to your current routine.