Maintaining 20/20 Vision In 2020

As 2020 begins, you may be making plans to get fit and improve your health for the year ahead. But what are your plans for your eye health? Just like any other part of your body, your vision needs looking after. There are many common eye problems that could put your vision at risk if you don’t take the time to monitor it. So this new year, why not make a resolution to look after your eye health? To help, we’ve put together some top tips to guide you.

Schedule An Eye Examination

Even if you haven’t noticed any changes in your vision or experienced any symptoms of eye disease,  it’s important to attend regular eye examinations. If you haven’t had one in the last 2 years, then you’re due one. It isn’t just about updating your prescription, eye examinations can help to detect early signs of common eye problems and diseases.

Book Yourself in For an OCT Eye Scan

If you’re seeking a more detailed examination of what’s going on in your eyes this year, a 3D imaging test (also known as an OCT eye scan) is a great option. This advanced eye scan allows the optometrist to examine your retina layer by layer so that any eye disease can be recognised and treated before it becomes too serious.

Maintain A Healthy Diet

It’s true, you really are what you eat and this is as much the case for your eyes as it is for any other part of your body. Oily fish, green vegetables and citrus fruits are some of the best foods for eye health so aim to make these part of your diet in 2020.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise, such as brisk walking 2-3 hours a week, can help reduce the risk of vision problems and eye disease. This is because high blood pressure and cholesterol are risk factors for eye problems and regular exercise helps reduce both.

Adopt Good Contact Lens Care

It may sound simple but when you’re putting your contacts in and out of your eye, cleaning your hands is integral to reducing the chances of catching an infection. Between lens wear, moisten your eyes to alleviate any dryness and never wear your contacts past their designated lifetime.

Allow Your Eyes to Rest

You may not think your eyes need to rest during the day, but in this digital age, they really do. We recommend following the 20:20:20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break from your screen and allow your eyes to focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will give your eyes the short break they need.

By following these tips you can help to protect your vision throughout 2020 and beyond.

If your first stop for looking after your eyes this year is to get them examined, contact Ferrier & MacKinnon Optometrists today to book yourself in at our opticians in Dunfermline, Kinross or Inverkeithing.