10 Eye Care Tips You Want To Know

Our eyes allow us to experience and interpret the world around us, yet they are often the most overlooked part of our health. Each eye contains more than two million working parts, which is an intricate system that deserves regular care and attention.

In Singapore, eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, myopia, and dry eyes are becoming increasingly common and are expected to rise within the next two years due to ageing, long screen time, and lifestyle habits. The good news is that many of these issues can be prevented or managed with simple, consistent care.

If you’ve been wondering how to take care of your eyes or searching for practical eye care tips in Singapore, this guide will help. Here are 10 daily eye care habits that can protect your vision, lower your risk of eye diseases, and support long-term eye health.

Eat Your Way to Better Vision with Eye-Healthy Foods

Proper nutrition is as important as good hygiene and habits in eye care. Simply including foods rich in Omega 3 like salmon and tuna can protect you against vision loss. “DHA is the primary structural fatty acid of the gray matter of the brain and the retina. So it makes sense that a DHA supplement, or diet rich in DHA, may help slow the degeneration of the retina, including macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness in older people,” says Dr. Ann Bajart, an ophthalmologist from Harvard Medical School.

Other foods and vitamins that have been linked to better eyesight include Vitamin C and E, green leafy vegetables, eggs, oysters, and beans.

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays with Sunglasses

Most people are getting around to the idea of using sunscreen regularly, not just on the beach. But what some people still do not know is the importance of shielding your eyes from excessive sun exposure, not just your skin. UV rays cause eye damage mainly to the macula, the central portion of the retina. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. UV rays can also foster cataract formation.

Protecting your eyes is especially vital for people who live in countries with tropical climates, like Singapore. Earlier this year, the country hit a UV Index of 15, its highest on record. The Meteorological Service Singapore recommends wearing UVA/UVB blocking eyewear, especially in the afternoon. Sunglasses are not only stylish, but can prevent vision loss later in life.

Stay Physically Active to Reduce Eye Disease Risk

There are numerous benefits to staying at a healthy weight and being physically fit. Avoiding cataracts may be one of them. Particular eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, and macular degeneration, are linked to cardiovascular complications brought on by excess weight.

Limit Screen Time and Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Singaporeans spend over 12 hours every day on their smartphones and laptops. This puts the population at greater risk for eye strain, dry eyes, and blurry vision. However, sitting for prolonged periods of time in front of your computer may be inevitable, especially for office-based employees. Limit the damage to your eyes by taking periodic breaks away from your table to ease the strain on your eyes.

Quit Smoking to Lower the Risk of Vision Loss

If the risk of lung cancer is not enough to convince smokers to stop, maybe the threat of various eye diseases can do it. Smoking increases your risk for a wide variety of eye problems, including Wet (Exudative) Age-Related Macular Degeneration which has usual symptoms ranging from mild to severe loss of central vision. There may be swelling and even bleeding at the macular area. The nerve fibre layer of the retina can be detached, and there may also be vitreous haemorrhage.

Keep Eye Makeup Tools Clean to Prevent Infections

Mascara and mascara wands are a potential cause of eye infections in women who wear makeup. Our eyelashes–just as the rest of our body–harbor bacteria. Over time, these can clump together, increasing your chances of infection every time you use a wand before cleaning it. Bacteria types that have been cultured from mascara tubes include staphylococcus and streptococcus. It is recommended to keep to a maximum use of 3 months per tube.

Always Remove Eye Makeup Before Sleeping

Residual mascara and makeup can cause eye and eyelid irritation which can lead to allergic conjunctivitis. Be certain to maintain good makeup removal habits and keep the eyelids clean before going to bed.

Avoid Sleeping in or Overusing Contact Lenses

Contaminated contact lens are the leading cause of corneal infections in Singapore. Any use of contact lens, hard or soft, readily exposes you to higher chances of corneal infection than non-contact lens wearers.

Practice Good Lens Hygiene to Prevent Eye Infections

You can mitigate the risk of wearing lenses by practicing good hygiene. Remember to clean the lens case as well as the lens with a sterile, saline solution. Never use water, which can be contaminated or be inefficient in wiping out bacteria from your lens and lens case. Do not sleep with contact lenses on, as this lowers oxygen and increases your susceptibility to contracting an infection from the eyelid rubbing the lens against your cornea. Users with difficulty maintaining strict hygiene may want to consider LASIK surgery to be independent of the use of contact lenses.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams with an Ophthalmologist

Some Singaporeans might not be aware of the importance of regular eye check ups.

Visiting your doctor regularly can also reveal some eye disorders that are not symptomatic until it reaches advanced stages, such as cataract, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration.

When was the last time you scheduled an eye exam? Book an appointment today with Dr. Jimmy Lim at JL Eye Specialists. We customise the care of your eyes based on your needs, from the initial consultation to after-care treatment.