This post is in collaboration with Vision Direct.
Do you wear glasses? Contacts? When was the last time you had your eyes tested?
Personally, I’m writing this on a plane when I should be wearing my glasses and I’m not. I left them behind on this trip accidentally and I’m definitely suffering from eye pain and headaches as a result. Maybe it’s as I’m getting older, or because we’re using more smart phones/laptops etc but it seems that mine and those around me have worse eyesight than we used to?
Luckily, I do something most days that will help me protect my eyesight for years to come… EXERCISE! And I’m guessing if you read this blog, you’re also probably pretty active yourself?
I’ve partnered with Vision Direct to encourage you guys to have your eyes tested regularly and keep working out for overall health as well eye health!
Studies have shown that eye disease is linked to health problems including high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure – conditions where complications and developments have the potential to be reduced by regular exercise and a healthy diet. Your eyes benefit in the same way that your body as a whole benefits from the recommended 150 minutes of activity per week!
Not only does regular activity reduce your risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma, it can also improve your blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. Furthermore, exercising can improve eye disease if you’re already suffering, including delaying complications associated with diabetic retinopathy.
I’ve always thought my eyes were my favourite body part. Even when I’ve felt incredibly self-conscious about my weight or felt unattractive, I’ve been comforted by the fact that I have ‘nice eyes’. One guy I used to date actually told me that my unusual blue eyes with a dark rim were the best thing about me – even more incentive to look after them I guess!
Other ways to protect your eye health are to avoid smoking, healthy eating, protecting your eyes from the direct sunshine (more reason to buy that pair of running sunnies!) and to drink within moderation. Not to mention regular eye tests – at least every 2 years even if you don’t have any eye issues.
Aside from the fact that I want to protect my eyes for aesthetic reasons, here are five reasons why it’s important to get your eyes tested regularly;
- To detect disease – many eye problems are symptomless so regular eye tests can help detect eye-related disease and in some cases, life threatening brain tumours.
- Early detection of glaucoma and diabetes – both super important. Research shows that you’re 25% less likely to suffer from glaucoma if you’re moderately active!
- For those that have a family history, regular eye tests can help identify if you have any issues and to catch issues early.
- Ageing – over the age of 40 your eyesight changes as part of the ageing process. Early diagnosis of age related eye conditions can usually be managed effectively.
So, if you haven’t had your eyes tested for a while or if you find yourself squinting at your phone screen, then book an eye test..then head out for a run!
Eye health is really important to me – I’ve worn glasses since I was 8 and contacts since I was 13 (I was allowed to get them when I got ‘teen’ in my age!), so I’m pretty aware of everything that can go on in the eye. If you haven’t ever had problems I dont think you realise how crucial it is, and how grim it is when things go wrong! x
Argh do you know what you’ve reminded me that I do need glasses for computer work, only mild ones, but I never got round to doing it. Bad Tess… *adds back on to do do list*