Post by Kute on Aug 14, 2010 12:52:46 GMT -5
It was national eye health week like 1 and a half months ago, and I just thought I'd share some information as an Optical Advisor!!
Two thirds of Brits could be risking their eyesight through their diet
A startling 65% of Brits could be at risk of incurring future eyesight problems because they are unaware that what they eat may affect the health of their vision, according to a new research from the College of Optometrists.
The research findings indicate that most of us are not getting enough of the essential nutrients needed to help keep our eyes healthy which is necessary for good vision. Nearly half of people (44%) don't eat enough lutein-rich leafy green vegetables and an overwhelming 52% don't consume enough oily fish such as mackeral and salmon. Oily fish is rich in beneficial Omega - 3 which, according to goverment guidelines, we should be eating one portion of a week.
Studies have shown that a balanced diet, rich in Vitamins A, C and E, leafy green vegetables and oily fish, may help safeguard eye health abd protect against eye diseases including Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macular_degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 50 years of age in the western world.
Dr Rob Hogan, President of the College of Optometrists, said: "It's Surprising that so many people don't realise that what we eat may affect the health of our eyes. Most of us are aware of the link between a poor diet and conditions such as heart disease, but sadly we often take our eye health for granted. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the western world, affecting an estimated 500,000 people in the UK - and that number is set to rise as the population gets older."
Dr Hogan adds: " Regular eye examinations not only ensure that you can see as well, and as clearly as possible, but also check the health of the eyes. There are other positive measures we can take like stopping smoking and protecting our eyes from sunlight by wearing good quality sunglasses carrying the CE mark. Regardless of our lifestyle choices, it's essential to visit an optometrist, the eye health specialist on the high street, regularly."
Two thirds of Brits could be risking their eyesight through their diet
A startling 65% of Brits could be at risk of incurring future eyesight problems because they are unaware that what they eat may affect the health of their vision, according to a new research from the College of Optometrists.
The research findings indicate that most of us are not getting enough of the essential nutrients needed to help keep our eyes healthy which is necessary for good vision. Nearly half of people (44%) don't eat enough lutein-rich leafy green vegetables and an overwhelming 52% don't consume enough oily fish such as mackeral and salmon. Oily fish is rich in beneficial Omega - 3 which, according to goverment guidelines, we should be eating one portion of a week.
Studies have shown that a balanced diet, rich in Vitamins A, C and E, leafy green vegetables and oily fish, may help safeguard eye health abd protect against eye diseases including Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macular_degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 50 years of age in the western world.
Dr Rob Hogan, President of the College of Optometrists, said: "It's Surprising that so many people don't realise that what we eat may affect the health of our eyes. Most of us are aware of the link between a poor diet and conditions such as heart disease, but sadly we often take our eye health for granted. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the western world, affecting an estimated 500,000 people in the UK - and that number is set to rise as the population gets older."
Dr Hogan adds: " Regular eye examinations not only ensure that you can see as well, and as clearly as possible, but also check the health of the eyes. There are other positive measures we can take like stopping smoking and protecting our eyes from sunlight by wearing good quality sunglasses carrying the CE mark. Regardless of our lifestyle choices, it's essential to visit an optometrist, the eye health specialist on the high street, regularly."