Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Autumn 2024

M ost people know the sun’s rays are bad for our skin. But did you know they’re just as bad for our eyes? Keep your families’ eyes healthy by protecting them from the sun. Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some of the sun’s effects on the eyes include Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision. An estimated 20% of cases are caused by extended UV exposure, Macular degeneration, resulting from damage to the retina that destroys central vision. We all know how important it is to wear protective sunglasses during summer, however, what most of us do not realise is how equally important it is, if not more so, to wear protective eyewear during the cooler seasons. During autumn, winter and spring, Wear protective eyewear

damage. But there’s no way of knowing when that ‘too late’ will come, which is why you should reduce your drinking to healthy levels straight away. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. What is a standard drink? A standard drink is 10 grams of alcohol, but it is important to be aware that a standard drink can be significantly different from a typical serving of alcohol. • A can or stubbie of light beer (up to 375 ml)= 0.8 of a standard drink • A can or stubbie of mid strength beer (up to 375 ml)= 1 standard drink • A can or stubbie of full strength beer (up to 375 ml)= 1.4 standard drinks • 150 ml glass of wine (9.5 to 13% alcohol)= 1 standard drink • 30 ml nip of spirits (37 to 40%) 1 standard drink • Can of spirits (approximately 5% alcohol) 1.5 to 2.1 standard drinks Don’t be fooled by clouds or the fact that you’re in the shade: a significant amount of damage to the eye can come from indirect light, whether it is from the side or reflected off surfaces such as the ground, sand or water. Sunglasses are also available with tinted and polarised prescription lenses for those requiring glasses for clear vision. Remember the kids and older family members. When purchasing sunglasses, remember to check the sun protection factor on the swing tag, look for high category (Australian Standard) lenses and remember that a high retail price doesn’t always mean better protection. Polarised lenses can be particularly helpful for reflected glare such as when at the beach or snow. A close fitting, wraparound pair or classic style with thick arms can help prevent glare and damaging rays from coming in the sides of sunglasses.

the sun is lower on the horizon, so we get more exposed to those damaging UV rays, as they directly enter the eyes. 90% of UV radiation can penetrate clouds, which makes wearing sunglasses all year round even more important – dull days can be just as damaging. Another interesting fact and unknown to many are that UV exposure to the eyes is maximised between 8am-10am and, 2pm-4pm when the sun is lower in the sky often making these the most important times to be wearing your sunnies to protect from UV and give comfort from glare. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. Tips to protect your eyes all year long: Make a habit of wearing UV protective sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats when you’re outside,

Alcohol related problems

E xcessive drinking adversely affects every organ of the body. It causes liver disease, gastritis, can damage the pancreas, increase blood pressure and put you at risk of heart attack and stroke; it can raise your risk of diabetes and sexual dysfunction and make you more likely to get oral and stomach cancers and certain neurological diseases. Alcohol irritates the gut wall, causing inflammation and meaning that you don’t absorb nutrients from food so efficiently. In particular, it interferes with the uptake of folate, which helps to produce new

cells, so if you drink a lot it’s important to eat a diet rich in folate. Heavy drinkers are likely to be deficient in a lot of the B vitamins, making them feel lethargic and lacking in energy. They can have a vitamin A deficiency, which is hard to make up because excess vitamin A is particularly toxic when you are drinking heavily, and they can also be calcium-deficient, putting them at risk of osteoporosis. The good news is that if you stop drinking or cut back to well within the government guidelines before it’s too late, you will be able to reverse most of the

25 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Autumn 2024 Central Coast Women’s Health