Vision is one of the most important senses that an individual can possess. Therefore, making sure your eyesight is in good shape is extremely important. Eyes are exceptionally sensitive and can be easily strained, be it from working, staring at a screen, or simply old age. As the years go by, it is fairly normal for this sensory organ to deteriorate and the loss of sight is one of the most common health issues experienced by people as they age. However, don’t brush off your worsening eyesight as just another part of getting older! Make sure you take better care of your eyesight as this is relatively simple to do. If not, you could experience adverse side effects, such as headaches, migraines, blurred vision, increased sensitivity, difficulty in concentrating, and even dry or sore eyes.
A common origin of impaired eyesight and its side effects is simply that you need a new pair of glasses. If you are unsure about whether you need a new prescription, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Do you find it hard to read the small print even with your glasses on?
- Do you find yourself bringing items closer to you, or extending them further away from you, in order to see clearly?
- Do you experience blurred vision or double images?
- Do you experience frequent headaches or migraines?
If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, it’s most likely that the time has come to invest in a new pair of specs.
The easiest way to double-check and find out what your new prescription is, is by booking an eye test with your nearest optician. Regular eye tests are a small investment to make in relation to the overall health of your eyesight. Most professionals advise individuals to take a comprehensive eye test every year or two. However, this is dependent on factors such as age, health, and whether you need glasses or contact lenses to begin with.
Given the current climate and, more specifically, the coronavirus pandemic, you may want to avoid unnecessary trips to the opticians. Thankfully, there are a few resources online for you to download and conduct a test from the comfort of your home. It’s easier and faster to do the test with help from another person, but it can also be done by yourself.
Just print out the sheet, put on your glasses, and test your visual acuity (make sure to test one eye at a time). Begin by reading the letters from big to small, making your way down the page. If you can read the letters printed out on the 8th line of the test, then you have 20/20 vision. If the 8th line or any above are unclear to you, then it is probably best to book an appointment with your local optician.
Once you know what prescription you need, you may want to reconsider what lenses your glasses use. Back in the day, the most common type of lens was a single vision lens, used either for short-sightedness or far-sightedness. Nowadays there are a ton of options to choose from, including ones that can gradually transition from one focus to another. If single vision vs progressive lenses is a difficult decision to make, check out this article which explains the differences in greater detail.
If you have conducted the eye test, either at home or at the opticians, and found that you don’t need a set of new glasses, have a go at some of these easy exercises. These simple eye exercises are aimed at naturally improving eyesight and can help with problems such as blurred vision or sensitivity. They can make it easy to take better care of your eyesight.
Other ways to protect and improve your eyesight include:
- Taking frequent breaks when using an electronic screen for long periods of time
- Wearing the correct type of glasses
- Wearing protective glasses in harsh environments or workplaces
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet
- Making sure you exercise on a regular basis
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
If you do in fact suffer from any of the adverse effects of visual impairment, make sure to take these tips into consideration and seek professional assistance. Having poor vision can affect your ability to drive, read, and even cook. It’s better to be safe than sorry and making that trip to the opticians could even prevent eye diseases, injuries, or vision loss in the future. It’s up to you to take better care of your eyesight.
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