01234 354343 
eyecare@humphrissandburgess.co.uk 
As the principal Optometrist at Humphriss and Burgess, I have had to stop conducting any routine eye examinations and have only been working remotely providing essential eye care during this crisis. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how my patients, new and old, are coping, and how on earth things are going to be in the vision world, once things begin to go back to ‘normal’. 
 
Why are eye tests so important? 
 
Good vision and healthy eyes help you perform well, at home, at work, whilst driving, and in Lockdown. The changing digital world has put a greater demand on our eyes. 
It is recommended that healthy eyes are checked by an Optometrist every 2 years (more often for children, or adults in certain instances, for example, if they have a family history of Glaucoma or are Diabetic, to name a few). 
 
This is the absolute best way to protect your eyes. 
 
But of course, during this time, this isn’t possible. Its probably one of the last things on your mind, and may not even be a top priority once things start to resemble normality. 
 
So what can you do to maintain your eye health? 
Here are my top tips to help you and your family. 
 
Eat a Balanced Diet 
Choose foods rich in antioxidents, like vitamins A and C e.g. leafy green vegetables and oily fish. Fatty fish like Salmon contains omega 3 fatty acids that are important to the macula, which is the part of the eye responsible for central vision. 
Too few antioxidents, too much alcohol or too many saturated fats in your diet, can create free radical reactions which can harm the macula. 
Eye supplements contain many essential nutrients in particular, Lutein and Zeaxanthin which are both naturally highly concentrated at the macula and very important in maintaining the structure of the cells in this area. 
 
Exercise 
Improves blood circulation and oxygen levels to the eyes which aids in the removal of harmful toxins. 
 
Getting a good night’s sleep 
A good rest improves performance and will keep the eyes looking and feeling fresher. 
 
Don’t smoke 
Smoking exposes the eyes to high levels of oxidative stress and is known to increase the eyes risk to various health conditions. 
 
Wear sunglasses 
To protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Choose sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection. 
 
Washing your hands 
This one is so topical right now, I don’t think I need to say more!! 
 
Devices and Blue Light 
Devices expose your eyes to high levels of Blue Light. Lutein and Zeaxanthin help filter blue light. 
Tips when you are on a device 
Keep the screen within 20”-24” of your eyes 
Keep the screen slightly below eye level 
Minimise glare of the screen by optimising surrounding lighting 
Blink frequently to prevent tears from drying out 
Take a break every 20 minutes and focus the eyes on an object at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds. 
 
This list isn’t exhaustive but I feel it covers the main and most important points. 
 
Please remember if you feel you may have a problem with your eyes, vision or health related, you can still contact me on 01234 354343. Leave a message on the answer phone and I will aim to call you back within half an hour during our normal working day. 
 
Keep safe and well 
 
Poonam Shah 
Optometrist 
Tagged as: Eye Health
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