Wellness Café

Eyes in focus

Aug 29, 2024

Did you know that the retina is a structure in your eye that is crucial for vision?

It’s made up of special cells called photoreceptors that detect light and convert it into electrical signals. These are sent to the brain through the optic nerve, where they are processed to create visual images.

Any damage or disease affecting the retina could lead to vision problems or loss. Regular eye tests can ensure that any issues can be managed, or even halted, if they are picked up early. Let’s use World Retina Week (18 to 24 September) as a reminder to take care of our eyes.

Why get an eye exam?

During an exam, the optometrist:

checks visual acuity (how well you see),
looks at how your eyes move and function,
inspects the health of your retina, optic nerve and blood vessels, and
tests the pressure in your eyes.

The tests are quick, painless and safe. If you’re a healthy adult under age 55, without known risk factors or eyesight problems, you can have an eye exam every two years.

What if they find something wrong?

Many eye conditions are treatable. If identified early, conditions like glaucoma and cataracts can be slowed; but left untreated, they cause irreversible blindness.

Protect your eyes

Wear high-quality sunglasses to guard against sun damage – look for either ‘100% UVA and UVB’ or ‘UV 400’ stickers.
Use safety glasses wherever there’s risk of eye injury, like doing DIY and playing sports.
Opt for glare-reducing glasses to reduce eye strain during screen time.

Everyday healthy eye habits

Follow the 20-20-20 rule for screen time: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (six metres) away for at least 20 seconds.
Make sure you work or read in good lighting.
Never touch your eyes with unwashed hands.
Keep health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure in check.
Wear your prescription specs/contact lenses (no, they don’t ‘make your eyes lazy’).
Ditch the smoking and don’t overindulge in alcohol.

Reference

South African Optometric Association

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