It’s no surprise that weddings are stressful. If you’re like most brides, you’ve probably spent many sleepless months, possibly even years, ensuring every detail is perfectly planned – the shoes, veil, dress and even the cake. However, what’s often forgotten and neglected in the busy time leading up to the wedding is eye health. While it may seem unrelated, healthy eyes can heavily impact the day and also the memories for years to come. Luckily, there are four easy ways to ensure gorgeous, camera-ready eyes on the big day:
- Healthful diet
One of the simplest ways to ensure optimum eye health is by maintaining a healthy diet that is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – a protein that can be found in certain fish such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.
Furthermore, eating vegetables high in lutein has been shown to prevent macular degeneration in patients. Lutein, typically found in yellow and orange vegetables such as peppers and carrots, as well as in leafy greens like kale and spinach, is an antioxidant used by the body to absorb UV and blue light.
- Care when using cosmetics
It’s no surprise that the majority of women use cosmetics, especially during wedding season, as part of their daily routines. However, the effect that makeup, such as eyeliner and mascara, can have on eyes is often overlooked.
“Regular use of mascara and eyeliner – especially eyeliner in the waterline – can often be the culprit of vision problems such as styes,” says Dr.Anukool Chadda from Mountain Eye Care in Hamilton. “They block the glands on the eyelids that produce the oil that prevents the evaporation of tears.”
Luckily, you can combat dry eyes by using eye drops containing a lipid – or oil – layer that act as artificial tears, suggests Dr.Anukool Chadda. As well, diligence in replacing eyeliner and mascara products at least every three months will prevent bacterial eye infections and styes.
- Ensure adequate amounts of sleep
Most women are aware that not getting enough sleep can be harmful for your body, what’s less known is that a lack of rest can be negatively effect your eyesight. While lack of sleep is often blamed for dark circles under your eyes, not getting enough rest can, in fact, interfere with your overall eye health.
Studies have shown that the eye needs at least five hours of sleep per night to properly replenish. Without that time, eyes cannot work at their full potential.
One common side effect of lack of sleep is eye spasms or myokymia — involuntary eye twitches that occur when you have a spasm in your eyelid. Eye spasms should not be painful or do damage to your vision; however, they can be very aggravating and disruptive. Avoid eye spasms by making sure you get an adequate amount of sleep per night.
- Comprehensive Eye Exams
Of course, the best way to ensure healthy eyes on your wedding is by being proactive in regards to your vision and making sure you visit your local doctor optometrist at least once a year.
“Visiting your doctor of optometry each year is not only critical, as prevention is key when it comes to ensuring healthy eyes, but also incredibly simple with Doctors of Optometry Canada’s Find a Doctor tool,” says Dr.Anukool Chadda. “As well, eyes act as windows to overall health and yearly eye exams can uncover underlying – and sometimes life-threatening – health issues.”
To book an appointment with an optometrist near you, visit optom.on.ca/.
