11/02/2026
Turning 40 has made me a little more intentional about my eye health - both professionally and personally 👀
Hi, I’m Ash, an optometrist, and here are a few simple things I do to keep my eyes in great shape (yes, pun intended 🏉⚽️):
1️⃣ A healthy tear film
Good vision starts with healthy tears. They protect your eyes, support contact lens comfort, and even help with productivity.
I’m big on starting this in the kitchen. Foods rich in omega-3s like salmon, avocado, chia seeds and walnuts can make a real difference. I help moisturise with eye lubricant drops. (Optometrist prescribed!)
2️⃣ Sun protection (all year round)
UV doesn’t take a break in winter. Protecting the front of your eyes - and the skin around them -matters just as much as sunscreen on the rest of your face.
And yes… that includes appropriate eyelid sunscreen and sunnies.
3️⃣ Managing digital eye strain
Screens are unavoidable, especially when we’re Googling “things that start happening at 40”.
I stick to the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Simple, effective, underrated.
4️⃣ The right glasses for the job
Even though I don’t need distance glasses anymore, I still use prescription eyewear for prolonged close-up work to reduce eye fatigue. Your eyes deserve a break too.
5️⃣ Regular eye exams
Annual eye checks aren’t just about seeing clearly - they’re about catching subtle changes early.
Modern eye exams can detect issues long before symptoms show up, which makes a huge difference.
Looking after your eyes isn’t complicated, it just takes consistency.
Your future vision will thank you.
