Are Modern Lifestyles Ruining Our Eye Health?

Today’s digital lifestyle seems to be causing an increased amount of eye problems, and could even lead to people developing conditions such as cataract and AMD at a younger age, an article on Optician Online states.

Quoting research conducted by Spectrum Thea, the article suggests that increased screen time in our daily lives could be a significant factor for this development – with 63% of optometrists citing it as one of the major reasons for deteriorating eye health in their patients.

Other causes mentioned by the experts surveyed include poor diet, smoking, diabetes and not wearing sunglasses.

Two third of those questioned had seen an increase in chronic conditions such as dry eye and blepharitis, and half were concerned about the younger generation developing degenerative conditions sooner than their predecessors.

A staggering 99% of eye care practitioners felt that people did not take their eye health seriously.

One expert advises: “It is essential that people are having their conditions diagnosed correctly in the first instance with regular eye health checks and are getting the right treatment plan with preservative-free lubricants and lid hygiene products.”

Further research also questioned 2,000 members of the public, revealing that one in 10 respondents would only get an eye test if they were having issues, and almost half (45%) wouldn’t get their eyes tested even if they were having difficulty reading road signs.

Of course, the best way to maintain good eye health (especially if you spend a lot of time looking at screens) is through regular tests with an eye care specialist, who can diagnose any problems and prescribe the right solution if necessary.

If you choose to opt for contact lenses, there are a number of options now available to you, from daily disposable contact lenses to monthly contact lenses, and even coloured varieties.