When we talk about eye health we are of course mostly concerned with the inner workings of the eye, and our visual system. Regular eye tests, eating a varied and multi-coloured diet, and giving up smoking can all have a positive effect on your sight and lessening your chances of serious eye disease. But what about the all important, delicate area that surrounds the eye itself? Let’s take a moment to check that we’re doing all we can to keep this healthy too.
The first and most obvious topic for discussion is cleanliness, which contributes hugely to eye health. The eye lids and lashes require lots of glandular secretions to keep them moist and working at their optimum. So this area needs to be kept clean to avoid blockages of the glands, which can lead to styes and other forms of infection. Always remove make up at night, however tired you are, using a gentle eye-make up remover lotion. Note the use by dates on cosmetics and discard them if you get an eye infection. Keep make up brushes clean by washing regularly in mild shampoo. Treat the delicate lid area very gently, using your ring finger to apply moisturisers, and don’t drag the skin. This is a health and beauty tip which will help to stave off the dreading wrinkles for as long as possible!
Our tears, combined with the blinking action, keep the surface of the eye ball lubricated and sterilised. If you’re in a dry atmosphere, blink as often as possible to keep the eye clean and comfortable. At the very first sign of an eye infection, take contact lenses out, and consult your pharmacist or GP for advice. If the lid area is sore, red, hot, or uncomfortable, then you may have a condition called Blepharitis, an inflammation of the lid margins, or a stye. These need treatment, so talk to your optician or GP.
So a little extra time and care, and good hygiene regimes can help you to avoid these problems, and stay more beautiful – always worthwhile!