Give Your Eyes A Break

Having an Optometrist in the family, I grew up knowing how to take care of my eyes and recognizing a good quality of lenses. I myself was a student of Optometry, and so familiarity when it comes to this field is not new to me. Many of us may not be much thinking about taking care of our eyes. Reading while in a moving vehicle or reading against the light is a big no, no! There are so many precautions that we need to be aware of in order to take good care of our eyes especially that it is summer time and too much sunlight may harm our eyes.

Summer is best known as the season of glare-related eyestrain, when you are experiencing stinging of the eyes because of too much concentrated sunlight. But, did you also know that eyestrain can be caused by other factors? Indoors, can also suffer long-term damage after facing the TV, gadgets or computer monitors at less than a foot away.

While light is essential part of daily life -- helping you see, regulating your body clock, and even providing you with much-needed Vitamin D - too much of it can cause painful eye conditions, including eyelid twitches, eye pain and extreme sensitivity to bright light. In severe cases, overexposure can permanently damage your central vision. Harmful blue light from artificial sources such as electronic devices causes retinal degeneration, while ultra-violet radiation from the sun contributes to the development of cataracts.

"Everyone, no matter the age or gender, should protect their eyes daily from bad effects of excessive exposure to light," shares Dr. Emelita Roleda, Essilor Philippines General Manager. The effects of overexposure to UV rays and harmful blue-violet light may only be visible during adulthood, when vision problems like Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) set in, so we highly advice the Filipino public to take preventive measures against them."

Essilor, the world's leading ophthalmic optics company, has come up with a solution that protects vision: CrizalⓇ Prevencia multi-coated lenses, which selectively filters bad blue light and lets in essential good light needed for well-being.

"Essilor has undergone a rigid and thorough process in the creation of CrizialⓇ Prevencia," explains Dr. Roleda. "It's advanced light scan technology enables us to protect our eyes from irreversible eye conditions which threaten healthy vision."

In addition to using CrizalⓇ Prevencia lenses, she highly advices proper eye care. "Start by getting a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year," she says. "Your eye doctor can determine the present condition of your eyes and help you take preventive or protective measures regarding possible vision problems."

"Another way to reduce the risk of eyestrain is taking frequent breaks from reading or monitor use," shares Dr. Roleda.

Lastly, she gives some sound sartorial advice when outdoors: "This summer, load your eyeglasses with CrizalⓇ Prevencia lenses containing E-SPF 25. Then, pair your glasses with a nice hat or a sturdy umbrella."

Indeed, eyesight is among the most important senses, but it receives less care than it deserves. By reducing strain, limiting exposure to harmful light, and making use of eyewear like CrizalⓇ Prevencia lenses, you can protect your eyes all day long and ensure many more years of healthy vision.

Learn more about CrizalⓇ Prevencia by visiting your eye doctor or leading optical shop nationwide, or by logging to www.essilor.com.ph.

Remember, using the proper eyewear with good quality and giving importance in taking care of our eyes is always the best way to a brighter and healthy eyesight!