Caring for Your Eyes

Your eyes play an important role in everything you do, from working and driving to reading and enjoying time with family. Looking after your eye health can help you maintain comfortable vision and identify potential eye problems early.

At Visionary Optometrists, we believe that regular eye examinations, healthy daily habits and professional advice are essential parts of long-term eye care.

1. Have Regular Eye Examinations

Many eye conditions can develop gradually without obvious symptoms. Regular eye examinations help assess your vision, check your eye health and identify potential problems before they become more serious.

During an eye examination, your optometrist may assess your visual acuity, prescription, eye coordination and the health of your eyes. Additional tests may be recommended depending on your age, medical history and individual risk factors.

When should you have an eye test?

The recommended frequency depends on your age, eye health, family history and other risk factors. Follow your optometrist’s advice, and arrange an appointment if you notice any changes in your vision.

At Visionary Optometrists, our team can help you understand your vision and discuss suitable options for your eye care needs.

2. Protect Your Eyes from UV Exposure

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to long-term eye damage. Protecting your eyes outdoors is important throughout the year, including on cloudy days.

Simple ways to protect your eyes include:

Wear sunglasses that provide appropriate UVA and UVB protection.
Choose close-fitting or wraparound sunglasses when practical.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat when spending time outdoors.
Use additional eye protection when participating in activities with a risk of eye injury.

Contact lenses with UV-blocking properties do not replace sunglasses because they do not cover the entire eye or surrounding area.

3. Reduce Digital Eye Strain

Spending long periods looking at computers, smartphones and tablets may contribute to tired eyes, dryness, headaches or temporary blurred vision.

To make screen time more comfortable:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something approximately 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Remember to blink: Blinking helps spread tears across the surface of your eyes.
Adjust your workspace: Use comfortable lighting and position your screen at a suitable distance.
Take regular breaks: Change your focus and move around during long periods of screen use.
Address persistent symptoms: If eye discomfort continues, speak with your optometrist.

If you regularly experience dry or tired eyes, an eye examination can help determine whether an underlying issue needs attention.

4. Practise Safe Contact Lens Habits

Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to glasses, but correct handling and hygiene are essential for protecting your eyes.

Follow these important contact lens care tips:

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.
Follow the prescribed wearing schedule and replacement instructions.
Never reuse daily disposable lenses.
Clean and store reusable lenses using the recommended contact lens solution.
Never use tap water or saliva to clean or store contact lenses.
Avoid sleeping, swimming or showering in contact lenses unless specifically advised by your eye care professional for the relevant activity and lens type.
Replace your contact lens case as recommended and keep it clean.
Remove your lenses and seek professional advice if you experience redness, pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision.

Contact lenses should be properly fitted to your eyes. If your lenses feel uncomfortable or your vision changes, arrange a review rather than continuing to wear them.

5. Support Your Eye Health with Healthy Habits

Everyday lifestyle choices can contribute to your overall health and may help protect your vision over time.

Consider these habits:

Eat a balanced diet: Include a variety of vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, fish and other nutrient-rich foods.
Stay physically active: Regular physical activity supports general health and can help manage risk factors associated with certain eye conditions.
Avoid smoking: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.
Manage existing health conditions: Diabetes and high blood pressure can affect eye health. Follow your healthcare professional’s advice and attend recommended eye examinations.
Get enough rest: Adequate sleep can help reduce tiredness and discomfort associated with eye strain.

Healthy habits are beneficial, but they do not replace professional eye examinations or treatment when needed.

6. Look After Your Child’s Vision

Good vision is important for children's learning, development, coordination and everyday activities. Children may not always recognise or communicate vision problems, so it is important to pay attention to possible signs.

Look out for behaviours such as:

Frequently squinting or rubbing their eyes.
Holding books or screens unusually close.
Complaining of headaches or tired eyes.
Losing their place when reading.
Experiencing difficulty seeing the board at school.
Frequently closing one eye or tilting their head to see more clearly.

Arrange an eye examination if you notice these signs or have concerns about your child's vision. Your optometrist can advise on age-appropriate assessments and whether further care is needed.

7. Know When to Seek Urgent Eye Care

Do not ignore sudden or significant changes in your vision. Some eye symptoms require urgent assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

Sudden loss or significant deterioration of vision.
Severe eye pain or a very red eye.
New flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters or a shadow resembling a curtain across your vision.
An eye injury or chemical exposure.
Sudden blurred vision accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Do not wait for a routine eye test if these symptoms occur. Contact an appropriate urgent eye care service or emergency department.

Book an Eye Examination with Visionary Optometrists

Looking after your eyes starts with understanding your vision and getting the right professional advice.

At Visionary Optometrists, our team provides eye examinations, prescription assessments and contact lens fitting to help you make informed decisions about your eye care.

Whether you need a routine eye check, advice about contact lenses or an assessment of a change in your vision, we are here to help.

Take the next step towards healthier vision.

Contact Visionary Optometrists to arrange an appointment or learn more about our eye care services.