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Follow this advice to help
keep your eyes in top shape:
■ Get enough sleep.
■ Drink plenty of water.
■ Maintain a healthy diet.
■ Keep your weight within
a healthy range.
■ Get regular exercise.
■ Avoid transferring bacteria
to your eyes by washing
your hands frequently.
■ Don’t smoke.
■ Never share make-up
tools or products as they
can harbour bacteria.
■ Replace your eye make-up
every four to six months.
If you get an eye infection,
such as conjunctivitis, toss
eye make-up immediately.
■ Remove eye make-up
before going to bed.
■ Wear good-quality
sunglasses with an eye
protection factor of 10,
all year round.
■ Wear eye protection if
working or playing sport in
an environment that could
pose a threat to your eyes.
■ Exercise your eye muscles
by switching focus every so
often. Look away from your
screen or other close work
and out into the distance.
Scrunch your eyes tightly
for a few seconds, then
open wide, look up, down,
and from side to side.
■ If you have contact lenses,
use, clean and dispose of
them as directed.
■ Get regular check-ups by
an eye-care professional.
EAT THIS!
Once upon a time, it was all about
carrots, but the latest research
shows that foods
rich in antioxidants, omega-3
fatty acids and other essential
vitamins and minerals also play
an important role in keeping eyes
healthy. Munch on leafy greens
such as spinach, kale and broccoli,
Brazil nuts, oysters, salmon, avocados,
garlic, tomatoes, blueberries, egg yolks,
wholegrains and sunflower seeds.
the big picture
These serious eye conditions require immediate attention.
Macular degeneration (MD)
MD is the leading cause
of blindness in Australia.
The macula is the central
part of the retina - the part
of the eye that processes
visual images. Symptoms
include difficulties focusing
and seeing at night, empty
spaces in your central vision
and light sensitivity.
Most at risk: People over
50, smokers and those
with a family history of MD.
Prevention: Have yearly
eye check-ups after 50, and
request your optometrist
examine your macula. If
you’re a smoker, stop.
Glaucoma
This is a disease in which
the optic nerve is slowly
destroyed, usually due to a
build-up of pressure in the
eye. It has no initial obvious
symptoms and leads to
irreversible blindness.
Most at risk: Those with a
family history of glaucoma,
or if you have high blood
pressure, short- or long-
sightedness, diabetes,
migraines, an eye injury or
overuse steroid medications.
Prevention: If you’re over
35, and at risk, have annual
eye checks. Early treatment
can prevent vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetics are at risk of this
condition, in which blood
vessels inside the retina are
damaged, leading to vision
problems and blindness.
Most at risk: Long-time
diabetics, and those with
poorly managed diabetes
who also have high blood
pressure or kidney disease.
Prevention: Keep blood
glucose levels in the normal
range, eat a healthy diet,
take prescribed medications
as directed, don’t smoke and
have regular eye check-ups.
Cataracts
Affecting one or both eyes,
cataracts can cause blurred
and distorted vision, light
sensitivity, double vision
and distortion. They can
be treated with surgery.
Most at risk: Those with
a family history, diabetics,
smokers, anyone who has
had long-term, unprotected
exposure to strong sunlight.
Prevention: Stop smoking,
wear sunglasses, manage
diabetes, have eye check-ups.
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For more information
www.mdfoundation.corm.au
www.glaucoma.org.au
www.visionaustralia.org.au
www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
1. What’s the most
common eye colour
in the world?
2. What part of
the eye contracts
when exposed to
bright light?
3. In what
Shakespeare
play does ‘the
green-eyed
monster’ appear?
For the answers,
see Stockists page
Pick-me-up
for your eyes
Try this tip to revive
tired eyes. Rub your
palms together
very quickly for
30 seconds or so,
to create heat. Then
cup your warmed
palms gently over
your closed eyes for
a minute. Repeat
as necessary.
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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2011 bhg.com.au
Words Samantha Harrison: photography iStockphoto. Getty Images
