Did you know eye exams can detect health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure? Eye exams aren’t only for when you have vision problems; they are an essential part of your annual overall health check-up. As professional optometrists in Calgary, we want to celebrate and recognize World Optometry Day with valuable eye health care tips for our patients. Keep reading to learn more!
The History of World Optometry Day
World Optometry Day dates back to 1986 when Dr. G. Burt Holmes, former president of the American Optometric Association, took ownership of IOOL (International Optometry and Optical League). Dr. Holmes set out to improve vision care standards worldwide and, in the following year, proposed World Optometry Day as a day to celebrate the contributions of optometrists worldwide.
Today, we celebrate World Optometry Day on March 23rd. Various eye health organizations arrange activities, events, and gatherings to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and the significant role optometrists play in our lives.
How to Celebrate World Optometry Day
Your vision is one of the most complex systems in your body that requires diligent care. With proper eye care, your Calgary optometrist can prevent permanent vision loss, detect eye diseases early, and help you preserve your vision for as long as possible. The world of optometry is constantly improving with innovations to make vision care more accessible and to help patients see clearly.
On this day, we encourage you to:
- Email, call, or send a card to your optometrist to simply say “Thank you.”
- Give your optometrist a shout-out on social media with the hashtag #WorldOptometryDay.
- Share your story about how vision care has impacted your life.
- Spread the word!
- Encourage your family to follow good eye health practices.
Tips to Take Care of Your Eye Health
Diet, exercise, underlying health conditions, and environmental factors can all impact the health of your eyes. In between routine eye exams, here are simple steps you can take to protect your vision.
- Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, complex carbs, and whole foods. Reduce the amount of sugar, processed foods, and alcohol, as these can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions that can also impact your eye health. Some of the best foods for eye health are carrots, fish, and leafy green vegetables.
- Limit your screen time. If you work on a computer all day, be sure to take regular breaks to let your eyes rest. Ask your optometrist about blue-light glasses to reduce the amount of harmful blue light that enters the eyes and to alleviate eye fatigue.
- Wear sunglasses - Protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays by wearing sunglasses outdoors. If you wear prescription glasses or are involved in outdoor activities, ask us about prescription sunglasses and sport safety glasses to prevent damage and injury.
- Remove your contact lenses before sleeping—never sleep with them in! Sleeping with contact lenses increases your risk of an eye infection and, in severe cases, can cause permanent corneal damage and vision loss.
Happy World Optometry Day!
At Doig Optometry, we are humbled that our patients trust us with something as crucial as their vision. Today, we celebrate our profession as optometrists in Calgary. Whether you’re an existing patient or a future one, we look forward to helping you see better and improve your quality of life through excellent vision and eye health.
Visit Doig When You Need an Optometrist in Calgary
World Optometry Day reminds us to take care of our eyes, so book an appointment with our experienced and compassionate team today. We can help with comprehensive eye exams and have an impressive selection of frames for the whole family. Contact us today to book your appointment.
“Optometry is a health care profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated (licensed/registered), and Optometrists are the primary health care professionals of the eyes and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of diseases in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.”
— World Council of Optometry