Can You See Me?

Ever got home after a long day of coding, designing, or analysing data with heavy, tired eyes? In a world where we’re constantly on screens, digital fatigue is real, and our eyes are the first to feel it. That’s why we invited optometrist Sumari and eyecare consultant Caleb from Torga Optical Cornubia for an in-house eye health talk. Our boardroom was transformed into a pop-up clinic for the afternoon, complete with an autorefractor and eye pressure screening. The most common concern they picked up? Dry eyes.

From our talk, Sumari covered quite a few good pointers, covering what contributes to our overall eye health: lack of sleep, dehydration, prolonged screen time, poor nutrition, smoking and excessive UV exposure, which can all contribute to eye discomfort or affect eye health. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can also have an impact.

In a workplace that involves using computers for long hours, what can we do better to take care of our eyes? 

Blink! It is one of the things we forget to do when we stare at our screens. This, in turn, causes dry eyes. Blinking keeps your eyes healthy and comfortable by lubricating the surface. Eye strain and headaches are some of the main symptoms of prolonged computer work. Make it a habit to look up and out of a window or at a distant object regularly to give your eyes a break. Looking at distant objects relaxes the eye muscles that contract during continuous close-up focus.

Sumari says using eye drops is quite beneficial and recommends Optive Fusion Eye Drops.

What role does diet play in protecting our vision long-term? 

A healthy, balanced diet provides nutrients that support normal eye function and may help protect against certain eye diseases. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in maintaining healthy eyes. Dark leafy greens contain nutrients including lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health. Other good choices include eggs, oily fish, citrus fruits, carrots, nuts and seeds. A varied diet is generally more beneficial than focusing on one particular “eye-health” food.

How often should people actually be getting their eyes tested/checked? 

For most adults, an eye examination every two years is a good guideline. However, some people may need more frequent examinations depending on age, medical history, family history or existing eye conditions. Children, contact lens wearers and people with conditions such as diabetes require more regular monitoring.

What are a few myths or misconceptions about eye care? 

“If I can see clearly, my eyes must be healthy” is a myth. This isn’t necessarily true, as many eye conditions can develop without noticeable symptoms. Another myth is that wearing glasses makes your eyes weaker. Glasses provide the appropriate optical correction; they do not make your eyes dependent on them.

Your eyes can provide valuable information about your overall health, and an eye examination can sometimes detect signs of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or other health concerns. Don’t wait until your vision becomes blurry before having your eyes checked. Prevention and early detection are key to protecting your vision for the future.

Sumari says glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness; it is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to high fluid pressure inside the eye, and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

If there’s one thing we took away from the day, it’s that our eyes do so much for us and they deserve a proper check-in now and then. 

Thank you to Sumari, Caleb, and the team at Torga Optical Cornubia for bringing such warm, thorough, and genuinely caring eye care to us. They have a real heart for our local community, and it shows in every consultation.

If your eyes are due for some TLC, they’re a wonderful place to start.

www.torgaoptical.co.za/cornubia