Eye facts and ways to look after them

By Bio Island Nutrition Team

Good eyesight can sometimes seem like a lucky dip in life. Some people are born with perfect 20/20 vision and others may need help to see clearly from the very start. Sight is a gift that we can very easily take for granted, but if something was to happen to your vision your life would change dramatically. No matter what level of vision you have, it’s still important to prioritise your eye health at every stage because 80% of vision problems worldwide are avoidable. Here’s a few more interesting facts about these amazing organs that you may not have known:

• Your eyes begin to develop just two weeks after conception
• The eye consists of over 2 million working parts
• Although many other areas of the face like the nose and ears continue to grow until you’re old, your eyeballs stay the same size from birth to death
• Eyes are the second most complex organ after the human brain
• An iris has 256 unique characteristics, that’s over 6 times the amount that a fingerprint has
• The eye is the fastest muscle in the body, hence the saying ‘in the blink of an eye’
• Only one sixth of the human eyeball is exposed
• Your eyelashes and eyebrows function to protect your eyes and keep them free from sweat and other particles
• The eye is capable of healing very quickly from minor injuries, taking around 48 hours to repair a corneal scratch

Our eyes are truly amazing, and we need to do all we can to protect them to ensure we maintain good vision throughout our lives - you only get the one pair after all! Going forward, there are some important habits that you can begin to incorporate into your daily life that will ensure you are making eye care a priority and avoiding any long-term complications. 

1. Try and consume at least 5 serves of fruit and vegetables every day

 The more colourful the better for your eyes! If you hate eating them raw try and turn them into smoothies or juices and add other flavours that you love.

2. If you spend a lot of your time in front of screens, try and take regular breaks

Staring at a screen all day can have you squinting and straining, two behaviours that are not helpful to your vision. Try out the 20-20-20 rule, whereby after 20 minutes looking at a screen you stare at something 20 feet away (6 meters) for 20 seconds. Set a timer on your phone to help you keep track and before long you will have developed a habit that gives your eyes a much-needed rest.

3. Get your eyes checked regularly by an optometrist.

It’s important to have regular check-ups with your optometrist so you can stay ahead of any problems that may be developing and make sure you are wearing the right prescription if needed. Remember, optometrists are not just for people who need glasses, they can help check the health of your eyes and give you advice on conditions such as itchy, red or sore eyes and headaches.

4. Protect your eyes from the sun

The sun can be very damaging to your eyes. Ever tried to look directly into the sun? There’s a reason why you can’t. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun is cumulative and can damage your eyes just as it can damage your skin. Remember to never look directly into the sun and be sure to wear sunglasses when you’re outside for long periods of time.

5. Be aware of your family’s eye history

There are over 350 hereditary eye diseases which may develop at some point in your lifetime. It’s important to have a detailed family history and prioritise more regular visits with the optometrist if you feel you may be at risk of developing the same conditions.

This information does not take into account your personal situation and is general in nature. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for your needs and seek professional medical advice.

Always consult your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or if any concerns arise.