Happy Birthday Specsavers Ópticas Marbella
We are very happy to have been working alongside the team at Specsavers Ópticas in Marbella since it opened in November 2012. Together we arranged the launch, when Marbella’s Mayor Ángeles Muñoz joined 50 local business people and press to officially open the new store. Since then, we’ve been organising events, collaborations and charity collections and releasing eye health advice on a regular basis.
This year, we had hoped to be organising a joint Specsavers Marbella and Shaw Marketing networking event to raise money for the official charity ONCE and also holding a party today to celebrate their 8th birthday. Sadly, COVID-19 has got in the way of these celebrations, so instead, we asked store director Nerea Galdos-Little to share these eight tips for good eye health with you all. She’s also put together an incredible birthday offer of 30% off glasses in the 89€ range and above if you contact the store, wish them Happy Birthday and book an appointment on the 5th, 6th and 7th of November.
Head into the store and get your eyes tested and follow these eight top tips from Nerea, to protect your sight and keep your eyes healthy.
1. Get an eye test
Many problems with the eyes have no symptoms, so you should have a check-up with your optometrist every two years, from the age of three. This is as important as ever during the pandemic. We know 50% of sight loss is avoidable with early detection, however, during the pandemic many people may not have had access to these diagnostic tests. Not only does this mean your eyesight is at risk but potentially other aspects of your health too.
2. Protect your eyes from the sun
Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause a painful irritation to the cornea at the front of the eye. In extreme circumstances this can lead to cancer of the cornea, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and even blindness. Everyone should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun. Check sunglasses comply with UNE-EN 1836:2006 + A1:2008 or bear the CE kite mark and are marked UV 400. Frame styles which are large, or wraparound, can also help to stop light entering the eyes from the side.
3. Keep diabetes under control
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition which affects vision and can result in irreversible vision loss. To avoid problems with sight, it is important that blood sugar level, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are controlled.
4. Quit smoking
There is a significantly higher risk of eye disease in smokers. Tobacco smoke is composed of as many as 4,000 active compounds, most of them toxic and potentially damaging to the eye. Smoking can cause or worsen several eye disorders, in particular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which may lead to blindness. Stop smoking and you can halt or possibly even reverse damage to the eyes, depending on the severity and type of disease.
5. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants, especially carotenoids
A healthy diet can encourage good eyesight and help reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. The macula is the part of the retina that enables our most acute and detailed vision for tasks such as reading, driving, recognising faces and watching television, so it is important to protect it. It has been proven that eating a diet rich in antioxidants, especially carotenoids, is particularly beneficial. Great foods for eye health include; carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, sardines and nuts.
6. Be careful of excessive computer screen usage
Our eyes aren’t really designed for the sort of lifestyle we lead today. Most of us spend hours every day reading and sitting in front of a screen. Our eyes become strained focussed on one point. For anyone focused on screens for long periods of time, it’s essential that you take frequent breaks. A good rule to follow is for every 20 minutes, move away and focus your eyes on something that is at least 20 feet away.
7. Keep contact lenses clean to avoid any infections
If you use contact lenses make sure you keep them really clean to avoid any infections. Daily disposable lenses are fresh every day and so they are the most hygienic choice. If you are using monthly lenses, make sure you use the proper solutions to keep them clean and never use tap water, especially not hot tap water – this can contain bacteria which can be very damaging to your eye.
8. Take extra care if you’re over 70
Although opticians recommend an eye test every two years, we recommend getting tests more regularly to many over the age of 70 depending on their needs – your optician can advise you on this.
Specsavers Ópticas in Marbella is located on Avenida Ricardo Soriano 12, Local 5A. Eye tests are free and comprehensive. To celebrate their 8th birthday, they are offering 30% off glasses in the 89€ range and above if you contact the store, wish them Happy Birthday and book an appointment on the 5th, 6th and 7th of November. For more information, or to book your eye test, visit www.specsavers.es or call the store on 952 863 332.