During this trying time of the COVID-19 virus, it’s more important than ever to take care of your health, and that includes your eyes! Here are 10 simple ways to boost your eye health and maintain clear vision during this time.
Your eyesight is one of your most important senses and approximately 80% of what we perceive comes through our sense of sight. By protecting your eyes and taking good care of your ocular health, you can:
At Blink Eyewear, we are more committed than ever to protecting your vision and eye health. While our Calgary clinics will remain closed during this time, our Creekside location will be kept open for emergency urgent eyecare by appointment only.
We are also offering telemedicine services and we can arrange for a telephone or video consultation to answer any questions you may have regarding your vision.
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URGENT EYE CARE DURING COVID-19 AT OUR CALGARY CLINIC
Experiencing an eye emergency or any other ocular issue can be worrisome, especially during COVID-19. The good news? Eye problems can be easily prevented if you practice essential eye care habits every day.
These include:
Practice frequent hand washing: Wash your hands regularly throughout the day to keep any bacteria at bay and prevent them from coming into contact with your eyes, eyeglasses, or contact lenses.
Stay hydrated: Adequate intake of water is essential for your ocular and overall health. If you stay hydrated, then you will prevent your eyes from becoming dry and irritated.
Don’t rub your eyes. Your hands are exposed to a lot of dirt, dust, and bacteria, and all of this can easily be transferred to your eyes when you touch or rub them. Avoiding this habit will lower your risk of developing an infection or irritation.
Wear sunglasses. Exposure to sunlight and harmful UV rays increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration and can even cause photokeratitis. So every time you go out, make sure to put on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. You might also want to talk to your eye doctor about UV protected eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk of developing certain eye conditions, such as AMD and cataracts. This habit can also damage your optic nerve, which can then have adverse effects on your vision over time.
Stick to a balanced diet. There are certain vitamins, such as Lutein, Omega-3, and Vitamins C, A, and E, that are essential for maintaining your eye health. It’s important to ensure that your diet is infused with different foods that are rich in those nutrients.
Observe the 20-20-20 rule: If you work a lot on your computer and you want to keep your eyes in good shape, then you should follow the 20-20-20 rule which states that you should look away from your computer every 20 minutes, blink 20 times to prevent dryness, and get out of your seat to take 20 steps. This is not only good for your vision, but also promotes good blood circulation throughout your body.
Keep proper monitor distance and lighting. Your computer monitor should be positioned an arm’s length away from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. This keeps your eyes from getting strained. In addition, make sure there is enough lighting in your room. However, remember that focused and too bright lights can result in glare, putting undue stress on your eyes.
Wear eye safety gear when performing certain tasks. If you are taking part in an activity, you must make sure that your eyes are protected. If you go swimming, wear goggles to protect your eyes from chlorine, and if you’re gardening or undertaking a DIY project, put on safety glasses to protect your eyes from injury, dust particles, or bacteria.
Get enough sleep. Just like the rest of your body, your eyes need to recharge and this happens while you sleep. So make sure you get enough shut-eye each day to keep your eyes revitalized and healthy.
At Blink Eyewear, we are as committed as ever to your eye health! While our Calgary clinics are temporarily closed, our eye doctors are still providing emergency eye care services at our Creekside location by appointment only.
We are also available for virtual consultations over a video call or the telephone to answer any concerns or questions you might have about your eye health.
If you have an eye emergency, please email creek@blinkeyewear.ca, or call us at 403-516-2292 and we will get back to you as soon as possible. After a phone or video consultation, we will come up with a treatment plan.
Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 4 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition.
Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.