How to support and maintain good eye health

It’s easy to take our eyesight for granted. Not only can the natural effects of the sun cause damage, but modern-day living (a.k.a. too much screen time) can impair our eyes, leaving us vulnerable to long term damage. Luckily, there are many ways we can help support and maintain eye health. We naturally have a layer of built-in protection to help shield from the effects of blue light and artificial lighting and this support can be enhanced by increasing good eye health nutrition. But if prolonged screen time is unavoidable in your day-to-day, adequate nutrition might not be enough…

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Here are five simple ways to support and maintain good eye health.           

Nutrition for eyesight

Thanks to the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, our eyes have a natural built-in protection from the effects of prolonged screen exposure. To make sure you’re getting enough vital eye nutrients, try to increase your daily intake of leafy greens and brightly coloured vegetables. Egg yolks are also naturally high in both lutein and zeaxanthin, so add them to your brekkie or lunch for a delicious and beneficial meal.

Supplements

Even with a healthy diet that’s full of essential nutrients, modern living can often result in deficiencies, making it difficult to know if you’re getting enough to support and maintain eye health. By combining a healthy diet with a supplement that contains lutein and zeaxanthin, you can be sure you’re doing the best you can to get your daily dose of essential eye antioxidants.

bh loves: Mānuka Health Vision Shield*

Screen safety

These days, screens can be hard – if not impossible – to avoid. To minimise the damage that they could be doing to your eyes, try taking regular screen breaks during the day and look away into the mid or far distance at frequent intervals to give your eyes a break. You should also stop looking at screens at least two hours before bed. Difficult, yes, but this will help your eyes and improve your sleep.

Blink consciously

Did you know that we blink less when we’re looking at screens? This leads to digital eye strain which can cause dry eyes, blurred vision, tired eyes and headaches. Blinking slowly and deliberately throughout the day can help to avoid these symptoms.

Bye-bye blue light

Ok, realistically we can’t avoid blue light (and some exposure is vital for good health)

… however, we can reduce our exposure to it – which can help us steer clear of long-term damage. Let’s start with our phones: did you know you can reduce the blue light setting on your screen? It’s also not a bad idea to invest in a blue light filter that goes on top of your screen. Next, if you wear specs: get a pair of blue-light blocking glasses. These are special glasses with either a yellow-tint or an anti-reflective coating to reduce eye strain during prolonged screen use.

*This medicine may not be right for you. Read the warnings before purchase www.manukahealth.co.nz/en-au/dietary-supplements. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.

Main header image @hoskelsa

Did you find the tips in this article helpful? How do you support and maintain your eye health?