ANTI-AGEING FOR EYES

Just as exercising your body makes it more flexible, exercising the muscles that control the lenses of your eyes will also help strengthen them.



The lenses of your eyes lose elasticity as you age, which impairs your ability to adjust your focus quickly to objects nearby. As they get older, most people can still see distances, but if reading the small print starts to become a problem it's time for an eye test. You should have an eye test every two years, whether or not you currently wear glasses or contacts.

Exercises for eyes
Just as exercising your body makes it more flexible, exercising the muscles that control the lenses of your eyes will also help strengthen them.

• Hold out your thumb at arm's length and move it first in circles and then in large figures of eight. As you do so, follow your thumb with your eyes, bringing it closer to you and then moving it further away.
• Avoid computer-stuck eyes by switching your focus regularly. Look past your computer every 10 minutes or so and focus on something at least 2m (6 ft) away. If your are not by a window, give yourself a plant or picture to look at.

Sun protection
For older eyes, the more protection against ultraviolet rays, the better. As it does with skin, UV creates free-radical damage that gradually affects your retinal cells. Protect yourself, especially during the brightest times of day (11am-3pm), with large-framed sunglasses.

Wraparound styles block out most light, limiting both vision damage and sun-induced wrinkles. Make sure the ones you buy not only look good but provide 100% UVA and UVB absorption, which gives the best protection against radiation reaching the eye and causing problems such as inflammation of the cornea or cataracts.

Eat for healthy eyes
Your diet affects your eyes too. As you age, toxins in the body cause your eyes to trade their bright, white colour for something more yellow. (Start any detox and you will notice how much clearer and more sparkling your eyes look). You can eat for healthy eyes with carotene-rich foods.

The most important carotenes are lutein, found in dark green leafy vegetables, and zeaxanthin, found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes and peaches. Dark purple foods like blueberries and blackberries also help strengthen your eyes, and vitamin-E-rich foods such as hazelnuts, almonds and tomato puree are eye-friendly.

Help! I Need Glasses
Despite advances in contact lenses and even laser surgery, more than half of us with sight problems choose the glasses option. In fact, far from specs being an eyesore, the right ones can actually be very flattering, helping to minimize your less-than-good points. Selecting the right frames takes time, so do not do it when you are rushing. And never shop for frames directly after an eye test if you have had dilating eye drop, as you won't be able to see yourself properly.

How to choose the perfect frames

• Metal frames (usually made of titanium or stainless steel) suit most people and are a good first-time buy as they are discreet. Metal is also durable so should last for two to three years, by which you will be due another eye test and may possibly need a new pair.
• Rimless glasses are also a restrained first-time buy, but remember they more fragile as the lens is unsupported, so treat them with care.
• The majority of other frames are made of plastic and are most flattering when toned with your hair. Black looks great with dark hair, and shades of tortoiseshell suit blonde to mid-brown hair.
• If you feel invisible behind glasses, try making a bolder statement with a heavier black or tortoiseshell style, which can look good even on smaller features.
• Make sure your eyes are in the middle of eye frame and the top bar follows the line of your eyebrows.
• Your face shape determines which glasses will suit you. The most important rule is to avoid frames the same shape as your face. Long faces need frames that will counteract length and narrowness, which means very small frames won't suit you. Instead choose medium or larger-size frames with width to draw your face out at the sides. Square faces need to avoid anything too angular or hard, which will emphasize a strong jaw, and instead go for light, thin frames in a soft oval shape. Round face should avoid sot, oval shapes and go for either square or cat's-eye frames instead. Oval faces can wear anything including smaller frames, which can be unflattering on others, but bear in mind that the larger the frames, the more camouflage they provide for under-eye wrinkles and bags.
• Frames can also be used to distract from your least favourite feature. Cat's-eye frames work a treat at drawing attention away from a double chin, and glasses with a lower bridge will shorten a long nose (as a higher bridge in a light colour will lengthen a short one). You can also make close-set eyes seem wider apart by wearing small, lightweight frames with a narrow bridge.

Be savvy with sunglasses
Even on a cloudy day, up to 80% of UV light can reach your eyes, so sunglasses are much more than just a fashion accessory. They need to have passed the European standard for UV protection, so look for confirmation on the swing tag (most high-street glasses match this standard, so there is no need to buy designer unless you want to).

They will also be marked with a filter category - grade 1 is suitable for days when there is little sun, grade 4 is needed for exceptionally sunny conditions such as skiing. Beware wearing light-coloured shades on anything but cloudy days, as they can actually allow more harmful rays to enter the eye.

The reason? They are dark enough to cause the pupil to dilate to compensate for the reduction in light and by; making the pupil dilate they allow more harmful rays in. Style rules are the same as for prescription glasses, but it is worth remembering that the larger the frames, the more protection you will get.

Far from specs being an eyesore, the right ones can actually be very flattering, helping to minimize your less-than-good points. Take time to select the right frames.