Lifemeter Screening Day and Dry Eye Workshop Round Up
At the beginning of February, you may recall we hosted a Wellness Day here at Respectacle Company in Market Harborough. Held in conjunction with The Body Doctor and their pioneering Lifemeter device, it was our first event of its kind, and we are delighted to say that it went down a storm.
We had over forty people pop into our Manor Walk optical practice to have their carotenoid levels measured. Everyone who attended learnt a lot about the importance of diet, how carotenoid levels can affect the health of your eyes, and the link to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s.
We also invited Sarah Phipps, a local Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist, to pop by and chat with some of our customers about diet and lifestyle and how these elements can affect our eye health. Sarah has just joined the team at Manor Walk Wellness, and she is passionate about empowering people to feel well through nutrition. Sarah had some great advice and even shared her recipe for Roasted Carrot and Paprika Soup. Full of essential vitamins and minerals, it sounds delicious!
Sarah Phipps.
Roasted Carrot & Paprika Soup Recipe.
What Are Carotenoids and Why Are They Important?
A few weeks ago, we wrote a blog about Lifemeter Screening and carotenoids. To recap – because it is an important topic – carotenoids are plant pigments found in fruits and vegetables. While there are hundreds of different carotenoids, only three are present in the macula at the back of the eye and in the brain. These carotenoids help protect against oxidative damage.
As we age, the pigment in the macula diminishes, similar to how wrinkles form on the skin. This reduction in pigment decreases our protection against oxidative stress, which can lead to macular degeneration. Therefore, increasing your daily intake of carotenoids can help boost the density of macular pigment and give the best natural protection.
During our Lifemeter Screening Day, we discussed which foods contain Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin, the three main carotenoids in the macular. These yellow plant pigments help to absorb blue wavelengths of light and can be found in green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts as well as egg yolks, sweetcorn, pumpkins and mangos.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in most veggies and fruits.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in most fruits and vegetables.
Free Lifemeter Screening Day: Follow-Up Event Coming Soon
We plan to run another Lifemeter Screening Day with The Body Doctor team in six months. If you booked an appointment at our Wellness Day and had your carotenoid levels measured, we’d love you to come to the follow-up event to see if your levels have changed. For anyone who missed out, it will be another opportunity to partake in free Lifemeter Screening and learn more about eye health.
We’ll share more information on our social channels about our second Wellness Day closer to the time. Follow our Respectacle Facebook page and Instagram account for updates. We’d hate for you to miss out again!
Lifemeter Understanding Your Score
Feedback From The Body Doctor
Dry Eye Workshop: What Causes Dry Eye and How to Treat It
We recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop day dedicated to dry eye. Dry eye is a common eye condition, but it is becoming a big issue within society, with more and more people receiving a diagnosis.
There are different causes for dry eye, ranging from medications to the environment and other eye-related issues. One of the most common causes, however, is the prolonged use of computers and digital devices. Many people spend hours each day working on computers and using tablets and smart phones. During this time, the number of times we blink decreases, which in turn reduces the amount of lipids spread across the eye’s surface, leading to decreased lubrication.
Dry eye symptoms can include itchy, sore eyes that feel gritty or appear red. Also, your eyes might be more sensitive to light, or you have watery eyes. Here are some ways to help manage dry eye:
- Take regular breaks from the computer and blink several times.
- Use a heated eye compress like the OPTASE® Moist Heat Mask to help relieve inflammation and soreness.
- Use a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air.
- Use recommended eye drops like HYCOSAN® Dual.
Dry eye can be caused by prolonged computer use.
Eye drops can be used to help manage dry eye.
Dry eye is typically not a serious condition, but it can cause discomfort and get in the way of your daily activities. If you want to learn more, read our previous blog dedicated to the eye condition – you can read it here. You can also pop into our Market Harborough practice and speak with one of our friendly team, who can advise you on the best treatment options, whether that’s medication or lifestyle changes.
Further reading:
Respectacle to Host a Free Lifemeter Screening Day in February
