What foods are good for your eyes?

Healthy eating is fundamental to good eye health. Avoiding highly processed foods that are high in fat and sugar and enjoying a diet that includes antioxidants, lutein, vitamin A and omega-3 (found in fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs and oily fish) will benefit not only the health of your eyes but your overall well-being.

Everyday living exposes us to free radicals that can cause cell damage in our eyes. Free radicals are by-products of sun exposure, (poor) diet and environmental pollutants. Along with regular eye exams, a nutritious and balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants may assist in maintaining the health of our eyes.

So what foods are good for your eyes?

Antioxidants

Antioxidants play a key role in the prevention of disease in the eye. Found in fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidants can help to counteract the effects of free radicals. Choosing vegetables with brighter colours and eating them raw is the best way to obtain their nutrients. Berries, such as raspberries, blueberries and bilberries, are also rich in antioxidants.

Lutein

Dark, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale contain a powerful antioxidant called lutein that is essential to human vision. Lutein is a natural pigment that reduces the harmful effects of free radicals by protecting the retina.

Vitamin A

There is a bit of propaganda that has led to the universal knowledge that carrots help you see in the dark. In WWII the British Royal Air Force was successful in shooting down many German planes while blackouts were still in effect across the country to minimize the visibility of targets on the ground. Don’t worry, the British government said. If you eat carrots, they’ll help you see in the dark, just like they did for RAF Flight Lieutenant John “Cat’s Eyes” Cunningham. Cunningham was responsible for shooting down 20 German aircraft, and it was attributed to his love of carrots. The British government made this up.

But science has now backed this up- carrots can help your eyes! Loaded with beta-carotenes, carrots, along with sweet potato, squash and cantaloupe, can all benefit vision. Your liver transforms beta-carotenes into vitamin A, which then travels to the retina where it is converted into rhodopsin, the chemical responsible for night vision.

Omega-3

Found in eggs and oily fish like salmon, omega-3 fatty acids are vital for optimal eye development. Omega-3 provides nutrients that allow your eyes to function at their best and in some cases can prevent or lessen the effects of dry eye.

If you have any questions about the best ‘eye’ foods to eat please talk to us.

5 COVID-19 Facts for Contact Lens Wearers

As we see the flattening of our Kiwi CV-19 curve, it is still good to consider hygiene, in particular around your contact lenses. This graphic was produced by The Centre for Ocular Research and Education (University of Waterloo, Canada). A good reminder to make sure you are wearing your contact lenses in a safe way.

MyLens - Keeping you supplied with contact lenses the easy way

When you come to us for your contact lenses, you are trusting us with your eyes and your vision. Our goal is to give you the healthiest, most comfortable contact lens vision correction.

Contacts are pretty amazing technology which we know well, so we’re your perfect choice for both your contact lens exams, and your lens supply.

The best value is to purchase a years’ supply of lenses at once. If you want to spread the cost, choose MyLens and you will be saving immediately. You purchase a three months supply, at the discounted price, then pay with regular automatic payments. We will send your lenses when you need them - couldn’t be easier.

When you order your lenses from us, you get:

• Free courier delivery in NZ

• Free replacements of torn or faulty lenses

• Accuracy assured - the exact lenses for your eyes

• Change in vision - no problem, we'll swap any unopened boxes for your new ones

• Guaranteed genuine lenses - no chance these are counterfeit lenses

• To support a local business in your community

• 20% saving on all your contact lens solutions

• Flexible purchase and payments options to save up to 25%

• Sunglasses discount voucher reward.

Remember you can get your lenses delivered direct to you at home or work. Ask us for a quote on your individual lens prescription.

Story of a remarkable swimmer

Many NSW swimmers will know of James Pittar, he's a bit of a legend. He first became known in 2000 when he featured in a Martha's Vineyard local paper. He had completed a 15 mile swim across the Muskeget Channel from Martha's Vineyard to Nantucket.

Over the years, James has completed marathon swims on every continent. Why is that remarkable? Because James Pittar is blind. In doing what he does, James shows everyone that disability does not preclude one from having a go.

James Pittar on the beach on Marthas Vineyard after swimming the Muskaget Channel in 2000.

In doing his marathons, James swims with an escort paddler, who is equipped with a whistle: one blow for right (or maybe left); two blows for left (or maybe right); three blows for “Shark”, although James used to say he had never heard that one.

James is a big bloke: very tall, with long arms. He has a devastating left arm, which skims like a Scud missile across the surface of the water, ready to clock any idiot who gets in its way.

Anyway, James Pittar has written a book about his life. It’s titled, Blind Vision. Blind Vision is published by Inspiring Publishers. You can find out more about it, and order it… Click here

Holly's new glasses

Let me introduce Holly, who is working as a Dispensing Assistant with us. She started in January this year, a newbie to optics. On Saturday 2 May Holly put on her new prescription glasses for the first time - and she has worn them all day, everyday since.

Frame: Vanni, model 2000

Lens: EnRoute Pro with glare filter and contrast enhancement.

How would describe the difference wearing this prescription has made?

Holly: Amazing. I can’t believe how clear things are. I haven’t had even a hint of a migraine (usually a common part of my life) since I put on my glasses. My vision is comfortable on the computer at work, and when I am helping with year 1 online school activities at home.

How do you like the EnRoute lens?

Holly: I have been waiting to try this since my training. It makes a huge difference during those dusk times, when I would give up on something, like reading or computer work, because the light was too tricky.

I know you tried on lots of different frames, what was it that made this your final choice?

Holly: I like the pink, it is a bit girly. The shape and pattern give an accent, and some drama. The acetate bridge is very comfortable on my face.