Today, 12 October 2023, is World Sight Day. This date serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of eye health and vision in our quality of life. Sight is one of the most precious senses we have and is essential for almost every activity we do, as well as for appreciating the beauty of the world. In this article, we'll explore the importance of vision and offer some practical recommendations for maintaining your eye health.

World Sight Day: The importance of sight and common problems

Sight is fundamental to our survival and well-being. It is our lens to the world, allowing us to read, write, move around safely, recognise faces, and much more. Without clear vision, many of these activities become challenging, if not impossible. In addition, vision problems can lead to difficulties at work, school and in social activities, thus having a very significant impact on our quality of life.

There are various eye problems that can affect our vision, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. In addition to these refractive conditions, diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration can lead to loss of vision if not treated early.

World Sight Day: Recommendations for healthy vision

Regular Consultations

Prevention is always the best solution. Regular check-ups are essential to detect any eye problems at an early stage. Adults should have a full examination every two years, while children and the elderly should have annual check-ups. These examinations can include visual acuity tests, intraocular pressure and fundus examinations.

Balanced nutrition

A balanced diet is a topic that is often undervalued, but is extremely important for our eye health. A diet rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids contributes to the prevention of various eye diseases. Foods such as carrots, spinach, fish and citrus fruits are part of a healthy diet and especially beneficial for eye health.

Sun protection

Wearing sunglasses with UV protection plays a crucial role in protecting you from the sun's harmful rays. Make sure your sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays for effective protection.

 Adequate Rest

Adequate rest is vital for eye health. We recommend practising the 20-20-20 "rule": every 20 minutes, look at something at least 6 metres (20 feet) away for at least 20 seconds. This practice helps to reduce eye fatigue and tension in the eye muscles.

Avoid smoking

In addition to the various health problems we all know about, smoking also increases the risk of various eye diseases, including cataracts and macular degeneration. In addition, smoking can aggravate existing vision problems and make it more difficult to treat eye diseases.

World Sight Day is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of our eye health. Sight is one of our most valuable assets, and proper care is indispensable for a full and rich life. With simple preventative measures and regular care, we can keep our eyes healthy and continue to see the world clearly and beautifully. Don't neglect your eyesight, as it is your window to your world. Your eyes deserve nothing less than the best possible care.