EYE CARE AWARENESS MONTH

Eye Care Awareness Month (ECAM), held annually from the 23rd September – 20th October, is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of Eye Health. The theme for this year’s campaign is: “Universal Eye Health – Get your eyes tested”. International World Sight Day takes place during this month on the 9 October.

Here are some tips for leading an eye-smart lifestyle:

1. Get regular eye exams
   Many problems that can result in blindness have no symptoms in their early stages, so the only way to ensure your eyes are healthy is by having regular eye exams.
2. Eat your veggies
   Studies show that what we eat can affect our vision. A diet rich in antioxidants helps to keep your eyes healthy. Broad-leaf greens and brightly coloured fruit and vegetables, like corn or orange peppers, are all good for your eyes.
3. Get active
   Lack of exercise contributes significantly to several eye conditions. Exercise may reduce the risk of vision loss from the narrowing or hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and diabetes.
4. Stop smoking
   After ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. Smoking also increases your risk of developing cataracts.
5. Be sun smart
   Protecting your eyes from the sun is very important and should not be underestimated. Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors and never look directly at the sun.