Good Health Choices New Zealand – August 2019

W

e rely on our eyes every
minute of the day yet our
vision is something we take
for granted until it is at risk. Here we
find out how you can best protect one of
your greatest assets.

EYE ON

HEALTH
The good news is that approximately
90 percent of vision loss is preventable
or treatable, so getting to know your
eyes and knowing how to recognise
important signs and symptoms is your
best defence.

WATCH OUT
See your optometrist or doctor if you
experience any of these symptoms:

» Red or dry eyes that do not settle
within 24 hours
» Any discharge, such as sticky eyes
in the morning
» Eye pain
» Droopy eyelids, especially all of
a sudden
» Blurred vision
» Halos around lights.

» Persistent floaters:

shadows, cobwebs or

dark spots that are

repeatedly interfering

with your line of

vision.

The following signs

and symptoms should

be treated as an

emergency:

»Sudden loss of or sudden

blurred vision

» Double vision

» Discomfort in bright light

» Severe eye pain

» Flashing lights

MYTHBUSTERS!

Here we address some common

misconceptions about eye health.

»RUBBING YOUR EYES IS

HARMLESS. Not so. In fact,

rubbing your eyes can lead to

keratoconus, an eye condition which

warps the cornea and affects vision.

»EATING CARROTS IMPROVES

MY EYESIGHT. Not exactly. Carrots

won’t help you see better, but they are

a source of beta-carotene, which the

body converts to vitamin A, an

important eye-health nutrient.

»WEARING GLASSES WEAKENS

EYE MUSCLES. There is no evidence

to show that wearing glasses weakens

eye muscles or worsens eyesight.

The occasional floater can be

harmless, but if they’re bothering

you, move your eyes up and

down or left and right for

temporary relief.

relief

FUTURE

VISION

FROM BLURRY VISION DUE TO TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME TO

GLAUCOMA, WHICH NEEDS PROFESSIONAL ATTENTION –

TOO OFTEN WE TAKE OUR EYESIGHT FOR GRANTED.

DEBBIE DUNCAN SETS HER SIGHTS ON EYE CARE

Eye floater