Vision problems can occur at any age so healthy eyes are vital for everyone. Most of us are using computers or other digital devices for extended periods of time. This can lead to eyestrain. As we begin to age, it’s quite normal to become aware of changes in vision such as night blindness, cataracts or macular degeneration.

Common vision problems

• Eyestrain We are often exposed to computers, phones, laptops and televisions for long periods of time, day and night, leading to eyestrain. Eyestrain causes discomfort when your eye muscles are held in one place for too long, leading to muscle strain. Eyestrain can also occur when you read for long periods of time, drive long distances, excessive sunlight exposure, stress or fatigue.

• Night blindness Poor vision at night, or night blindness, impacts your ability to drive at night, or see well in other low light situations. Night blindness may be due to a vitamin A or zinc deficiency, cataracts, or in those with disordered blood sugar levels where large sugar molecules stress and damage the small blood vessels and nerves in the eye

• Cataracts More common as you age, where the eye develops a milky or cloudy appearance which leads to blurry vision, hypersensitivity to light or night blindness. Exposure to UV sunlight, smoking and those with disordered blood sugar levels are at increased risk of developing cataracts

• Macular degeneration (MD) Typically affects people over the age of 55 causing progressive, painless loss of central vision, affecting your ability to see fine detail, drive, read or recognise faces. If left untreated, may lead to permanent vision loss, so it’s important to get your eyes checked every year.

Maintain healthy eyes naturally with:

• Bilberry - contains key antioxidants, important for the regeneration of rhodopsin, a pigment found in the retina that is responsible for vision in low light. Bilberry improves circulation to the eye, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the retina, and helps clear waste products via the blood vessels

• Lutein & Zeaxanthin - coloured pigments found in high concentrations in the macula that protect and maintain eye tissue by filtering and then absorbing high-energy blue light to protect the delicate photoreceptors from damage, much like natural sunglasses

• Vitamin B2 - may help to prevent cataracts according to early studies. Vitamin B2 is an important antioxidant that may reduce oxidative damage to the eyes. Deficiency leads to eye fatigue, increased sensitivity to light and higher incidence of age-related eye disorders.

• Grape seed - a potent antioxidant, with greater antioxidant effect than vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene. Grape seed contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which protect microcirculation within the small blood vessels of the eye and increase the rate of rhodopsin regeneration. Rhodopsin is important for light adaptation and night vision so Grape seed protects the eye and helps eyes adapt to variations in different light intensities.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Herbs of Gold Products for Healthy Eyes

Find out more and shop online for Herbs of Gold Products for Healthy Eyes below

• Grape Seed Gold
• Macu-Guard with Bilberry 10 000
• Vitamin B2 200mg