You can improve your vision

You may be amazed to discover you can make your eyes fitter. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your eyes bright and your vision sharp.

No two eyes are the same 
Nobody in the world has the same eyes as yours – and your own two eyes are not an exact match either. So, when you’re having vision problems it’s best to get an expert assessment, says optometrist Alice Forsyth. “Glasses from the chemist might be okay as a back-up, but they’re unlikely to be the ideal choice for everyday use,” she advises. “This is because without lenses that are individually tailored, your eyes may be working harder than they need to.” An eye test every two years can also pick up serious conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.

Glasses are not your only option

If you’re sick of losing your specs or constantly taking them on and off to see near and far, you can replace your reading glasses with contact lenses. “Multifocal contact lenses or monovision lenses designed to let you use one eye for distance and the other for near vision are a great option for some people but others find it hard to adapt to them,” explains Forsyth. “Your optometrist may suggest giving them a trial run for a few hours to see how you go.”

If you find the lenses do the trick, you can even see an ophthalmologist about having them permanently implanted.

Most tears are produced under your upper eyelid 
As you get older, tear production slows and the quality of your tears can change. Dry eyes are very common after menopause. “This may be relieved by using artificial tears which you can buy from your local chemist,” says ophthalmologist Dr Con Moshegov. “If you don’t have enough tears, an ophthalmologist can plug the tear ducts that drain water away from the eyes and into the nose.

“Sometimes eyes become dry because your tears don’t contain enough of the oils that stop them evaporating too quickly, and in this case it’s better to treat the cause rather than plugging the tear ducts.”

Activate your eyes
Eye exercises aren’t so much about strengthening your eye muscles as improving your control of those muscles, says Forsyth. “A trained optometrist can identify problem areas and prescribe exercises to help you gain more control,” she explains. Here is a simple exercise to improve eye fitness. If you have difficulty doing it, it may mean you have a muscle dysfunction. See your optometrist.

Change your focus: Hold your thumb at arm’s length and alternate your focus from the tip of your nose to the end of your thumb and then to a point in the far distance. Repeat five times every hour. This trains your eyes to focus near and far as well as stretching and relaxing your eye muscles.

Blink!: If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, phone or tablet screen, chances are your blink rate is three times lower than it should be, often leaving you with tired eyes by mid-afternoon. Blinking produces a tear film to nourish and soothe weary eyes.

Get outdoors: Research shows that time spent outdoors 60 to 80 minutes per day with UV protection including sunglasses and a hat is beneficial to your eyesight. When your eyes are not focused on a single target they are in a relaxed state. Distance viewing gives you a broader range of focus and the vitamin D boost from being out in the sunshine may also benefit your eyesight.

Common vision problems

Total or partial loss of vision, no matter how temporary, should not be ignored because it may be a sign of stroke or serious eye disease, says Dr Moshegov. Suddenly drooping eyelids also merit immediate medical attention, especially if only on one side – it’s another possible sign of stroke. For most other eye symptoms, there may be a simpler explanation.

Red eyes 
Conjunctivitis is usually the culprit but it could also be a ruptured blood vessel or even a cold sore in your eye. Iritis – inflammation of the iris (the coloured part of your eye) – can also cause the whites to go red.

Diabetic retinopathy 
When patients with diabetes develop eye complications, ophthalmologists refer to this as diabetic retinopathy. Left undetected, it will lead to irreversible blindness. Because most patients are asymptomatic in the early stages, the disease may already be advanced before it is detected. People with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes should visit an ophthalmologist regularly.

Yellow eyes 

A certain amount of yellowing is a normal part of ageing. It’s also a sign of liver problems, especially if your skin tone also has a yellowish tinge. See your doctor for a liver function test.

Whitish ring around the cornea 
In older people, this may be due to a condition called arcus senilis, which is caused by fat deposits in the eye. It doesn’t affect your vision and doesn’t require treatment. A whitish ring can also indicate high cholesterol in some people.

Bulging eyes 
Often caused by the swelling of fat and muscles behind the eyeballs, bulging eyes can be a sign of thyroid problems. 

Eye twitch 
It might be annoying but the muscle spasm known as myokymia is almost always benign. It’s usually caused by stress, anxiety, lack of sleep or too much caffeine.

Cataracts 
This is when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, blocking the transmission of light into the eye. Cataracts can occur at any age – even babies can get them.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain and causing loss of vision. As its effects are so slow, you may not realise anything is wrong until it’s too late. Untreated or undiagnosed glaucoma will eventually lead to blindness. Go for regular check-ups to ensure optimal eye health.

The Opticlear Optometry Network and how it works

Bankmed members have the advantage of accessing optometry services and materials, such as spectacles and contact lenses, at a preferred rate when they visit an Opticlear Network optometrist. By choosing an Opticlear Network optometrist, you can enjoy services and items at a guaranteed reduced rate. With 97% of all optometry providers in South Africa being part of the Opticlear Network, you can be confident that your optometrist is likely to be included. To find the nearest Opticlear Network optometrist, simply visit their website at www.opticlear.co.za.

CREDIT: AREMEDIASYNDICATION.COM.AU/MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA