'EYE'GIENE TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Good eye hygiene is important for many reasons, particularly since your eyes are the part of your body people usually notice and look at the most. Here are a few tips everyone can follow to keep these windows on the soul looking as good as possible.

As the second most complex organ in the human body (after the brain), eyes need the same things as people, such as regular cleaning and plentiful sleep. Washing your face regularly dislodges oil and dirt from nearby skin that could irritate the eyes, and make-up should always be removed before going to bed, to prevent eyelids and lashes being caked in chemicals overnight.

Our eyes have their own in-built cleaning systems - eyelids are designed to sweep impurities off the surface of our eyes, and tears naturally remove toxins and irritants. Although we never think about blinking, doing so regularly keeps the eyes hydrated, which is especially important for contact lens wearers; eye drops can improve comfort if dryness is a problem. It's vital to follow any
contact lenses cleaning programmes recommended by your optometrist, including the use of in-date solutions, and to handle lenses with clean hands to prevent bacterial infection.

Finally, prevention is always better than cure. Smoking doesn't just cause irritation to the eye surface and a gritty sensation, it damages vision in many other ways, such as increasing the risks of age-related macular degeneration and cataract. A vitamin-rich diet can help preserve your
vision and regular physical exercise helps maintain good eye health. UV-filtering lenses are also highly recommended to prevent harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging the eyes. Most importantly of all, visit your optometrist regularly - a qualified expert can identify potential hygiene problems much earlier, and many common eye-related conditions can be easily treated.

To book an appointment simply call us on 01279 757767