Feeling down? Big health reason not to hold back the tears

IT is officially the most depressing day of the year, with the dark days and cold temperatures enough to make anyone feel down. But rather than keep your feelings bottled up, Specsavers Castlebar is urging people not to hold back their tears on Monday, January 21, better known as Blue Monday, as not only does a good cry offer a relief of emotion, but it can do wonders for your eye health too.

Specsavers Castlebar ophthalmic director, Niamh O’Connell says: “When we don’t have enough tears to lubricate our eyes they can become dry and irritated and we can even start to get slightly blurred vision.”

This dryness which occurs when we do not have enough lubrication in our eyes is often referred to as dry eye syndrome and can be extremely uncomfortable.

Niamh continues: “When an individual has a dry eye the surface of the eye becomes inflamed. This inflammation further damages the cells which are responsible for tear production, resulting in a vicious circle of increasing inflammation and dryness.”

However, not only do our tears help with this lubrication but they can help keep our eyes clean too. Niamh adds: “Tears are so important as they can wash away foreign matter that might come into contact with your eye and they also help reduce the risk of eye infections.”

Specsavers Castlebar stock a wide variety of over the counter ocular lubricants and treatments to assist in the treatment and management of dry eye.

Niamh has some additional tips for general eye health this new year:

 

Amazing omega

Dry eye syndrome occurs when we do not have enough lubrication in our eyes. However, eating fish high in omega 3 fatty acids can help. Niamh says: “It is well documented that omega 3 essential fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and therefore may offer some degree of protection against dry eye.”

 

Get some rest

Do you ever feel your eyes twitching from time to time? These spasms, known as myokymia, can often be uncomfortable and distracting, and they are often caused by a lack of sleep. Niamh says: “It’s essential that we all get enough sleep as it give our bodies an opportunity to rest, including our eye muscles, which will help to stop them from twitching.”

 

Have an avocado

The wondrous superfood has been a breakfast staple for millennials everywhere. But rather than just being a tasty way to start the day – and of course providing countless photo opportunities for the ‘gram – the trusty avocado is actually great for your eyes.

Niamh says: “Avocados are a huge food trend, which is great news for our eyes. Not only are avocados rich in zinc and vitamin B which help stave off cataracts, but they also have a high amount of lutein. Research suggests lutein is a carotenoid which helps filter our blue light, helping to prevent age-related macular degeneration.”

 

Go for a walk

Not only is exercising good for your overall health but it’s good for your eyes too. Niamh says: “Studies have shown that regular exercise, such as walking, can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by up to 70% and it can also decrease the risk of age-related cataracts too.”

 

For more information, pop into Specsavers Castlebar at Unit 9, Hopkins Road, Castlebar, call 094 903 8750 or visit www.specsavers.ie/stores/castlebar.