e all know the word puberty, but do we all know what it means – that it is the name for the time when one’s body begins to develop and change?
Apart from the infant stage, this is when your body will grow faster than at any other time in your life. It’s important to be aware of the changes that happen during puberty before they arrive, and it’s comforting to know that everyone goes through this stage. Neither your mother, your father nor your grandparents escaped it – every adult you know made it through puberty.
As optometrists we are aware of this time during your teenage years, and we are here to advise you should you experience any eye or vision discomfort.
As a young person entering puberty your body will go through rapid physical growth. Included in this growth is a lengthening of the eyeballs which can create myopia (near sightedness). Once your hormones stabilise, your vision should stabilise as well. Remember, however, it’s important to have an annual eye test during these hormonal changes.
Be aware of squinting your eyes. While it may not be harmful, it isn’t going to help solve a vision problem. You may have a refractive error which means the eye cannot ‘bend’ light correctly, so you will experience blurry vision. We suggest you visit an optometrist if you find yourself squinting; or if anyone in your family – or your friends – notice you doing this.
Sore, tired eyes or headaches could be the result of conditions that include:
- dry eye syndrome – when tears fail to lubricate your eyes – can occur when joining the fun at a bon fire, having wind in your face, being in a smoky or dry environment, or prolonged periods of screen time, over-the-counter medication such as artificial tears help relieve this,
- UV damage from the sun – wear sunglasses with 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays – even on a cloudy day [ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength, and is associated with skin aging, while ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning],
- perhaps you have started wearing eye makeup and there’s no need to stop – but we strongly suggest you read our blog entitled For Your Eyes Only
All medical practitioners – that’s us too – will tell you the essentials to optimum health are diet and exercise. A well-balanced eating pattern can help prevent eye conditions, as well. You are too young to be concerned about disorders that might – or might not – occur in your 40s, but we suggest you read through our advice on a few of the best foods for healthy eyes.
You are probably too old to qualify for our promotion, but you may have a brother or sister under the age of 12 years who could benefit from a free eye test, free frame and free lenses, until the end of December 2021. Ask a parent or guardian to phone us for details.
Our pensioners’ discount has been extended to the end of June 2021 – so you can tell any old people that you may know…
Our optometrists in The Atrium Berea, 430 Peter Mokaba Ridge, in Overport, will answer your queries, help you choose the best option for you – and lead you to a happy outcome.
We offer a safe, welcoming environment, follow all the Covid-19 health protocols – and implore you to follow good eye-care practices.
Let your eye care journey start with us.
“The Visonworks Overport Team”
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