A20 Friday, April 27, 2018
Abbotsford News
www.abbynews.com
ADULTLiving A B B O T S F O R D ’ S
SOCIAL
|
HEALTH
|
WELL-BEING
|
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
Do you take good care of your eyes? If you’d like to preserve your eye health for as long as possible, ensure you follow these seven tips. 1. Protect yourself from the sun. Wear a sunhat or a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays, which can cause certain ocular health problems (notably, cataracts and keratitis). 2. Wear safety glasses. Is wood-
working your hobby? If so, are you wearing appropriate eye protection? Take some time in May to look at what you do throughout your day and consider if you should be wearing eye protection.
3. Eat healthy. A healthy
and balanced diet is crucial to providing your body with
the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep your eyes healthy.
4. Exercise. Adopt an active lifestyle and try to keep a healthy weight. This way, you’ll considerably diminish your risk for developing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which can affect your vision. 5. Stop smoking. Smoking can lead to or exacerbate a number of eye problems, including age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy and others. 6. Hydrate your eyes. To prevent ocular dryness, make it a habit to lubricate your eyes often — use artificial tears if necessary. 7. Visit your optometrist regularly. Consult-
ing a vision specialist is the best way to detect and treat most troubles related to your eyes. Go see one!
Eye health is an essential component of total health Since 2014, Canada has celebrated Vision Health Month every May to highlight the importance of taking care of your eye health. Of course, getting your eyes regularly checked is a great way to ensure your vision stays crystal clear. Did you know, however, that your eye health could indicate issues with your overall health? This is notably the case with diabetes. Diabetes is a common condition in North America that occurs when the body can’t sufficiently use or produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps convert sugars into energy. When someone is born unable to produce insulin, we call it Type 1 diabetes. If someone loses the ability to use or produce insulin during the course of their life, they’ve developed what’s called Type 2 diabetes. The latter form of the disease typically affects adults over 40 who don’t get much exercise. But what does this have to do with eye health? It turns out that there are a number of eye diseases that you’re more likely to get if you have diabetes. For example, if you have
diabetes, you’re twice as likely to develop glaucoma, a clouding of the eye’s lens. Similarly, having too much sugar in your bloodstream can damage the small, delicate blood vessels in your eye, which can lead to rare forms of glaucoma. Take the opportunity this Vision Health Month to set up an appointment with your neighbourhood optometrist. Vision isn’t just an important part of your life — it’s an important part of your total health! Do you suffer from dry eyes? Are your eyes irritated, watery and sensitive to light? If so, there’s a good chance that you’re experiencing keratoconjunctivitis sicca, more commonly known as dry eye syndrome. Keep reading to learn more about this condition. Causes: Dry eye syndrome is a common phenomenon that can be caused by a variety of factors such as age, hormonal changes (e.g. menopause), tobacco use, certain chronic illnesses (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea) and certain medications. Spending a lot of time in front of
Creditors calling? Too much debt? Explore your options for debt relief!
Free consultation, no referral required. Contact us today! Wihnan Trustee Corporation | Joyce P. Wihnan, BBA, MA • Licensed Insolvency Trustee • Federally licensed since 1998 • Qualified Insolvency Counsellor Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can administer Consumer Proposals and Bankruptcies in Canada.
Phone or Text: (604)302-1925 • info@wihnan.ca #204 - 2469 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford • www.wihnan.ca
the television or a computer screen can also make your eyes more dry than usual. Symptoms: Blurred vision, a burning sensation, feeling like a foreign body is stuck in your eye, tingling, redness, fatigue and sensitivity to light, are all typical symptoms of dry eyes. Thankfully, there’s a plethora of products that can provide relief. Consult your pharmacist or your optometrist if you present with any of these symptoms. Prevention: Obviously, prevention constitutes a valuable ally when it comes to keeping your eyes well hydrated. Follow these simple recommendations to avoid unnecessary dryness: ■ Wear glasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind. ■ Be sure to blink often and take frequent breaks when working at a computer. ■ Purchase a humidifier if the air in your home is too dry. ■ Maintain your contact lenses properly and replace them when necessary.
Hike for Hospice sunday, May 6, 2018
Mill Lake park site #4 - off Bevan Ave New Time! registration: 1:00 pm | Warm-up: 1:20 pm | Hike: 1:30 pm
A fun day for all - family, friends & coworkers. Hike, Hot Dogs, Beverages, Music, face painting and More NeW this year - Best Dressed Dog Award Register and download a pledge form A Fundraiser for the Whole Community on our website, or pick one up at Abbotsford Hospice.
www.AbbotsfordHospice.org/Hike
Sunday May 6, 2018
Mill Lake Park Site #4 - Off Bevan Ave
New Time!
Registration 1:00 pm Warm-up 1:20 pm Hike 1:30 pm