5 Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

5 Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

When it comes to taking care of our health, our eyes are not often top of mind. Yet keeping our eyes healthy is just as important as keeping our bodies healthy. That’s because caring for your eyes can help to prevent many eye diseases and conditions, as well as vision loss and blindness.?

In celebration of Healthy Vision Month, we’re sharing our top five tips for keeping your eyes healthy.

Tip #1: Quit smoking?

The negative health effects of smoking are widely known. Yet few people are aware that smoking can also directly impact eye health and vision by?increasing your risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy,?and?damaging your optic nerve. These conditions can significantly impair vision and lead to permanent vision loss.??

Tip #2: Wear sunglasses?

Sunglasses protect your?eyes against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays?and thus help to prevent?eye damage and reduce your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. For maximum protection, choose a quality pair of sunglasses that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.?

Tip #3: Take a break from your screen

Looking at a computer or phone screen for long periods of time can cause eyestrain, blurry vision, dry eyes and trouble focusing at a distance.?

To reduce eyestrain,?look away from your screen every 20 minutes at an object about 6 metres away from you for 20 seconds.?In addition, you can blink more often or use artificial tears to improve dry eyes, and position your screen to avoid glare from windows and lights to prevent eye fatigue.?

If these measures do not improve your screen-related eye complaints, speak to an ophthalmologist about the suitability of computer glasses and to rule out other vision or eye problems.?

Tip #4: Wear protective eye gear

Protective eye gear is vital for preventing eye injuries from exposure to chemicals or foreign objects entering the eye.?

Wear protective eye gear while doing certain household or garden chores, such as mowing the lawn, and during DIY projects. You should also use eye protection when engaging in leisure activities, such as paintballing, and playing sports that put you at risk of eye injury.?

If you sustain an eye injury, see an ophthalmologist right away. Some eye injuries heal with rest and at-home treatments, but others can cause serious eye damage and vision loss.

Tip #5: Have your eyes checked

If you’re experiencing vision problems, visit an optometrist for an eye exam.?Optometrists conduct tests to determine if you are?near- or?farsighted, or have age-related vision changes or other eye conditions, and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. They also provide general eye care and can diagnose and treat certain eye diseases.?

If necessary, the optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist for specialised testing, treatment of eye diseases and eye surgery.

Focus on eye health with Nammed

Nammed offers comprehensive optical benefits to support your eye health and vision. We cover:?

·??????Optometrist and?ophthalmologist?consultations

·??????Glasses (lenses and frames) every year

·??????Prescription sunglasses on specialist recommendation?

For limits and details applicable to your Nammed Option, consult the 2022 Benefit Guide >>>?https://bit.ly/3xqE1rl.

Not a member yet? Download the application form here?https://bit.ly/3o5gU1y?or contact any of our offices:

Windhoek: +264 61 374 600?

Swakopmund: +264 64 406 257/49?

Otjiwarongo: +264 67 302 274

Karibib: +264 64 550 551?tel:+26467302274

#Nammed #YourPartnerInHealth #HealthyVisionMonth #EyeHealth?