Your eyes are irreplaceable. They are your windows to the world. But they are fragile and you need to take meticulous care of them. There are many reasons your eyesight could deteriorate- age, pollution, stress, unhealthy diet etc. While you can’t really stop the ageing of your eyes, you can slow it down. But many of the other issues could be avoided if you adopt a few measures.
You need to visit an ophthalmologist/optometrist at least once a year. They will administer several tests to determine how strong your vision is or how healthy your eyes are. Based on the tests, you will be given a new pair of lenses for your glasses or medicines if needed.
Myopia has been becoming an epidemic, especially in kids. Scheduling regular eye check-up exams are the best way to ensure safety from myopia. Regular checkups can also ward off cataracts, retinal detachment and glaucoma, all very sight-threatening eye conditions.
Contrary to popular opinion, mobile phones are doing more harm to the eyes than television ever did. It is because, bigger the screen and greater the distance, lesser is the strain on the eyes. So, a laptop screen is always better than a mobile phone screen. For school kids with online classes, it is a very good option to project the phone on television set and the child sitting at a comfortable distance from the screen.
Dr. Gitanjali Sharma Bose MBBS, MS Ophthalmology
This is an age-old and sure-shot means of keeping your eyes healthy. There are certain foods that boost your eyesight and reverse the effects of ageing. Make sure your diet includes –
A healthy diet also reduces your chances of becoming obese or contracting diabetes or hypertension, which are leading causes of eye problems.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that certain nutrients like copper, zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and beta carotene can reduce the risk of age-related decline in eye health.
Obesity and diabetes are closely tied to potential eye problems. Obesity is linked with type II diabetes and diabetes is linked to a higher risk of glaucoma and retinopathy. Exercising, diet control and maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol can help with weight loss and diabetes management. This can help you to avoid the risks of eye conditions and also save you the trouble of expensive glaucoma treatment surgery.
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Smoking is not only destructive to your lungs but it can also give you cataracts. It may damage your optic nerve and cause macular degeneration. If you are a chain smoker and quitting seems impossible to you, talk to a therapist.
Read More: How to Quit Smoking?
Smoking also increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome.
Smoking also leads to Uveitis which is inflammation of the eye’s middle layer. Studies have shown that smokers are 2.2 times more at risk of deterioration of the eye than non-smokers.
Also Read: 7 Health Hazards of Smoking
Shades are imperative when you go out into the sun. The UV rays of the sun can harm your eyes. They can bring about macular degeneration, cataracts and can even cause temporary blindness. Shades can protect you from the worst of UV rays.
If your work requires you to stare at a computer screen for 8 hours at a stretch, you will need to adopt a few extra precautions.
As a rule of thumb, foods with colours of traffic signal lights – red, yellow and green, are excellent sources of Vitamin A and antioxidants for the eyes. If you are a vegetarian, have any seasonal fruit and a fistful of nuts everyday. For fussy children, simply make a paste of leafy greens and mix it with chapati flour/ dal. It is an effective method of ensuring good eye nutrition.
Dr. Gitanjali Sharma Bose MBBS, MS Ophthalmology
Once every 30 minutes, look away from the screen and keep your eyes closed for 15 seconds. Then open them and blink rapidly, this will coat your eyes with a layer of moisture.
Constantly working in front of a screen and not peeling your eyes for a long time may result in Computer vision syndrome. It causes eye strain, blurry vision, and discomfort.
At regular intervals, put your eyes through a simple exercise. Stare at a distant object for 15 seconds, switch your gaze over to a nearer object, and keep staring at it for another 15 seconds. Repeat this cycle 4-5 times.
Make it a habit to do this consistently to guard your eyes against unnecessary strain and discomfort.
Annual check ups are usually recommended especially in people above 45 years and who suffer from diseases of the eye or diabetes, uncontrolled and chronic diabetes usually affects the retina and maybe a cause of irreversible blindness.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Computer screens emit a harmful rays called blue light. To mitigate the effect of blue light, you can attach an anti-glare cover to the screen of your computer or wear a pair of anti-glare glasses.
Use safety glasses or eye shields when outside. Wear goggles when and where necessary. Along with eyewear, eyewashes are also important to keep your eye safe.
Make sure that the lights in your office room are not too harsh. Turn a few off, if possible. Don’t sit with your back to an open window because your computer screen will reflect the light coming in through the window. You can also adjust the brightness of your computer so that it complements the lighting of the room.
Don’t take your eyes for granted. They are priceless. Get a good night’s sleep as it is monumental in promoting good eye health. The rest is very important for your eyes. Keep your hands clean if you have a habit of touching your eyes often. With a few simple tips, you can keep them healthy.
Important to note – Eye health is also connected to age, the older you get the more you should be aware of eye disorders that are common with ageing. Your doctor may advise you to get frequent checkups and also inform you what symptoms to watch for (such as poor vision and blurry sight). Another important factor to keep in mind regardless of age is for people who use contact lenses and prescription glasses. Be sure to use clean hands whenever you are putting your contacts on and maintain proper hygiene whenever you’re dealing with your eyes.
Also Read: How to Stop Watery Eyes: Effective Solutions Based on Research
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Eyes, although one of the essential organs in the body, is often neglected in the human body. Unfortunately, we have no beauty enhancement treatment or spas to rejuvenate or improve our eyesight. Therefore, it is purely up to us to maintain good eye health.
Ironical, isn’t it that eyes are very important, yet we abuse our privilege of vision?
Thanks to the technological era that we live in, people spend endless hours in front of monitors, TVs and cell phones. The constant exposure to screens, be it the laptop, smartphones, tabs or television, etc., leads to unnecessary strain on our eyes. It is best to take frequent breaks when reading or working on a computer screen. One must look away and focus on objects in the distance for good eye health.
Staring at screens for too long results it strained dry eyes. The best way to overcome this problem is to use a hydrating eye drop to cool, hydrate and nourish the eyes. Just as one shoe doesn’t fit all, one eye drop isn’t useful for everyone, so consult your ophthalmologist before you squirt anything in your eyes in the hope that it’s doing you good. Also, always check the expiry date of products before using them.
It is advised that you get an eye check-up at least once in six months. Eye strain, dry eyes, and other similar disorders can lead to severe ailments if they aren’t cured on time. Consult your doctor once in six months or if any of the following symptoms persist:
– irritation of the eye/eyes
– foreign body sensation in the eye
– stringy discharge
– eye fatigue
– heavy eyelids
– red eyes
– discomfort on wearing contact lenses
– shorter bearable spans of reading, working on computers, etc
Also Read: Misdiagnosed Eye Conditions: Is it Pink Eye or Something Else?
People who wear contact lenses have to take extra care of their eyes. Precaution needs to be taken while wearing and removing contact lenses, while applying or removing make-up, spraying deodorants, to name a few. Try not wearing the lenses for too long and avoid any contact with dust and foreign particles as it may lead to infection.
Cataract, glaucoma and refractive errors are very common eye health problems which are a cause of vision impairment and a frequent cause of visit to an ophthalmologist. No symptoms of eye disease should be neglected.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
The UV rays of the sun cause considerable damage to eyesight. Also, the bright harsh light entering the eye for prolonged lengths of time can harm the cornea. Sunglasses also protect the eyes from dry air and dust particles. Plus, it adds to your coolness quotient, so why not?
Our eyes need to be cared for both externally as well as internally. Intake of a diet containing all the essential nutrients in proper quantities is important for maintaining optimum optic health. While eye problems associated with old age such as cataracts and glaucoma cannot be eliminated completely, taking adequate quantities of nutrients such as zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C and vitamin E help reduce the chances of old age-related vision problems. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale and sources of protein such as chicken and soybean are superfoods that maintain healthy eyesight. A balanced diet also ensures a healthy body weight which is essential for keeping obesity at bay. Obesity is a common cause of Type 2 diabetes which is often responsible for rendering patients blind.
Digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome is very common nowadays due to increased screen time. 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, an individual should take the eye off from the screen for about 20 seconds and look at a distant object (situated at 20 feet away) should always be followed with good ergonomics.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Smoking cigarettes is a leading cause of eyesight problems such as Macular Degeneration and Cataracts. The toxins inhaled while smoking are extremely detrimental to optic health. To let the optic nerves function efficiently, it is absolutely essential to give up smoking as it causes damage to it.
Must Read: 10 Best Foods For Eye Health
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
