October 14 is World Sight Day, co-ordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is proud to promote this international day of awareness, to focus attention on the global issue of eye health by providing eye health tips. This year’s campaign message is simple, it’s time to love your eyes!
To #LoveYourEyes find out what you need to do to prevent sight loss, and to protect, preserve and prioritise vision.
We’ve asked some of our leading ophthalmology specialists for a few simple things you can do yourself to prevent developing serious eye issues; take screen breaks, spend time outside, and get an eye test.
Clinical A/Professor Andrew Chang, vitreoretinal surgeon and Head of Ophthalmology at Sydney Eye Hospital, advises issues can be prevented by eating well, especially if you have diabetes and macular degeneration.
“Many eye diseases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is all about eating healthy and adopting healthy habits. Eat green leafy vegetables, spinach, eggs and orange vegetables, foods rich in Vitamin C and E, like oranges, lemons, tomatoes and strawberries; almonds, avocados and sunflower seeds.”
While leading a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent several eye diseases it is equally important to protect and take care of your eyes.
“A healthy workplace is important for your eyes too. If you are among those where work exposes you to chemicals, radiation, flying particles, and excessive heat, you must use protective eyewear,” advised A/Professor Matthew Simunovic, surgeon and Head of the Foundation’s Research Committee.
“Importantly we’ve been spending so much time on our screens during the COVID-19 pandemic and we should use World Sight Day to remind ourselves to get up, go outside and take a break from our screens.”
It’s time to #LoveYourEyes and start new habits. Eat well, take screen breaks, get outside, and get an eye test.
For more tips speak to your doctor, follow @IAPB and read more here.
