SEEING is perhaps our greatest sense, so keeping eyes healthy is essential for a hearty life.
Every day 28 Australians are diagnosed with sight loss that cannot be corrected, including nine who will become blind.
According to The Brien Holden Vision Institute, early diagnosis of eye conditions is often the key to preventing permanent damage and blindness.
Regular eye examinations, they say, help ensure that eye conditions are identified early enough for preventative action to be taken.
The Institute recommends everyone should have their eyes checked every two years. More importantly, if you are over 40 years old, have diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts or wear glasses.
It is crucial to seek an examination if you are unable to see things clearly from a distance, struggle to see clearly when you are reading or doing other close work, or have red, itchy or painful eyes.
An eye exam and a pair of glasses can enable you to see clearly, making it easier to work, care for your family and, for your child, easier to learn at school.
You can also take care of your eyes every day to help reduce your risk of eye disease in the following ways:
- Avoid sun damage
- A healthy diet
- Stop smoking
- Protection by wearing safety glasses.
If the adage eyes are the windows to the soul is true, keep accurate vision by looking after your eyes.
