For most of us, vision is just another facet of our daily life. It is not uncommon to take it for granted for the little things in life like reading work emails or scouring the shelves for a good book to read.

The fact is, vision plays a pivotal role in our lives. It is just sometimes overlooked as a ‘window to wellness’.

This wellness refers to how maintaining good vision is not just about seeing clearly. It’s also about ensuring a healthier, happier life.

In this article, we’ll explore the link between good vision and overall wellbeing, and how you can preserve your precious sight.

Vision and its role in wellbeing

The connection between vision and your overall wellbeing may not be immediately apparent, but it is an intimate one.

This is because almost every aspect of our lives relies on us having excellent vision. Once your sight is compromised, it is highly probable that your wellbeing will begin to deteriorate.

Here are several ways in which good vision is interconnected with our health and happiness:

Safety

Much of our safety measures as an individual is dependent on having clear vision. Tasks such as driving, cooking, and navigating unfamiliar terrain all require definitive sight. Without it, you are more likely to jeopardise your wellbeing through accidents and injuries.

Independence

Having 20-20 vision is a vital tool for maintaining your independence. There is no need to rely on others or additional tools in daily life when you have your sight. You can easily go about your daily life, performing tasks and making decisions without any worry.

Social engagement

While it’s more than possible to interact socially without perfect eyesight, you may not realise how much your connections to others rely on your vision.

Without clear sight, people are more prone to social isolation, which can have detrimental effects on mental health.

Additionally, recognising faces and engaging in visual communication is a fundamental part of human interaction. You may begin to miss out on crucial parts of a conversation once your eyesight is impaired.

Emotional wellbeing

Those who have issues with their vision may find themselves experiencing more negative emotions such as frustration and stress. This is because tasks may have become more difficult, your self-esteem may have been impacted, and your overall mental wellbeing may have been experiencing issues.

Quality of life

Your quality of life may decrease alongside your loss of vision as it becomes more difficult to enjoy hobbies, recreational activities, and the beauty of the world around you. Without clear vision, it is harder to savour the moments that bring joy and fulfilment.

As we have already established the significance of maintaining good vision for overall wellbeing, it’s time to look into how to achieve and preserve it.

1. Regular eye exams: The foundation of good vision

The first step to maintaining good vision is booking regular eye exams.

Optometrists or ophthalmologists go beyond just checking if you need glasses during these exams. They will also provide a complete assessment of your eye health and visual acuity.

Here are the key benefits offered by regular eye exams:

Early detection

There are many eye conditions that develop slowly and without any visible symptoms until their later stages, where treatment is more difficult to implement.

Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration can be detected in their early stages, however, with an eye exam. Regularly scheduling a test for your vision can allow for early intervention and prevention of further deterioration.

Prescription updates

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, your prescription can change over time and with use.

Not updating your prescription as needed can lead to health irritants such as eye strain, discomfort, and headaches. That is why it is best to book a regular eye exam to update your prescription and ensure that your eyesight is as clear as possible.

You can book an eye test with 1001 Optometry if you think you need to update your current prescription.

Digital eye strain

It is common in today’s digital age to experience digital eye strain from too much screen time.

Heading in for a regular eye exam can reduce this strain as your eye specialist provides advice on screen ergonomics and specialised lenses for computer use.

Overall eye health

Beyond vision correction, eye exams also assess the overall health of your eyes. This includes the detection of conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, even before you experience other symptoms.

Early identification can help prevent vision loss and promote overall wellbeing.

2. Proper eye care habits

Beyond regular eye exams, you can maintain your eyesight and overall wellbeing by adhering to several key daily habits, such as:

Protective eyewear

If there is a chance the safety of your eyes could be compromised during an activity, it is integral to wear appropriate protective eyewear. This could be necessary during various activities, including:

• Sports
• Home improvement projects
• Working with chemicals
• Wood or metalworking
• And more…

Ensuring that no injuries can occur to your eyes is a key component of maintaining good vision and overall health.

Eye-friendly nutrition

Consuming foods rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids can benefit your eye health. That’s because these specific nutrients have been found to support the structure and function of your eyes. With this support, you are less likely to incur many eye conditions.

Adequate rest and hydration

Consistently getting sufficient sleep and hydration can actually have a monumentally good effect on your eye health. That’s because both sleep and hydration are known to prevent eye fatigue and dryness, keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy.

UV protection

Exposure to the sun, especially consistently, can actually become harmful to your eyes.

The sun’s UV rays are known to increase the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions, which is why it’s vital to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays through the blocking effect of sunglasses and headwear.

3. Lifestyle adjustments for wellbeing

Simple adjustments to your existing lifestyle can actually go a long way to improving your overall wellbeing and eyesight. You can try adjusting your life in light of the following:

Healthy work-life balance

A healthy work-life balance goes beyond splitting your time rightfully between work and home. It also means minimising digital eye strain by reducing screen time and taking breaks during work.

Preventing your eyes from being overtaxed is one of the best ways to ensure their function and wellbeing.

Stress management

Stress, especially chronic stress, is known to impact various aspects of your health. This includes your eyesight, as stress leads to headaches, eye strain, and difficulty focusing. Take some time out of your day to practise stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and exercise to support your well-being.

Regular exercise

Physical activity promotes blood circulation and oxygenation throughout your body, including your eyes. Keeping the blood flowing also reduces the risk of conditions like diabetes, which are known to affect eye health.

Routine eye exercises

Practising simple eye exercises on the daily can help maintain eye muscle strength and reduce eye strain. Take a moment or two each day to set up your own routine and support your vision.

Opening the window

In conclusion, our eyes are not just the windows to our souls; they are the windows to our wellbeing.

Making the effort to maintain good vision is also making the effort to live a healthier and happier life. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your vision remains a source of joy and vitality.

Always remember to not take your vision for granted; cherish it and nurture it to embrace a brighter, more fulfilling life!