The eyes are the most sensitive and developed sensory organs of our bodies. Around 80% of what we perceive and learn comes from our eyes. The eyes are also considered an integral part of your beauty and intelligence.
Healthy eyes are a blessing, yet most of us take them for granted. Ask about their importance to those who are suffering from an eye disease or blindness.
According to the World Healthanization, around 1 billion people have vision impairment (near or distant) that could be prevented. Though most of the people who have eye problems are over the age of 50, children and young people can also get affected.
Don’t think that vision loss or eye problems are something you can’t do anything about. You will be surprised to know that 90% of vision loss is avoidable.
Let us look at some ways through which we can protect our eyes and stay away from eye diseases.
1. Avoid Extended Use of Electronic Devices
Too much screen time can affect your eyes negatively. It can cause eye fatigue and headaches. If your job requires sitting in front of a computer for long hours, try to take short breaks or at least take your eyes off the screen for a few minutes.
Constant staring at gadgets and screens may also lead to eye dryness. People of all ages, especially adults, tend to overuse light-emitting gadgets at night that can lead to eye strain and headaches.
Find some time during the day to free yourself from screens. Also, make sure that when you go to bed for sleep, you will go without your phone. Unless you have great financial need, avoid spending time on the computer for work during weekends.
Spend time in nature with your family and play something other than computer games or socializing over the internet.
2. Get Regular Eye Checkups
It is important that you go for an eye examination every few months. During a visual acuity examination, your doctor will check you for your proximal and distant visual cues.
But in contrast to this, you can also go for a full eye examination where you are given a deep and thorough check to assess your eye function.
You will be examined for underlying symptoms for retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration. In case there is a problem, your doctor will be able to suggest an appropriate and timely treatment.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
For better eye health, eat a clean and nutritious diet. Foods that support and boost eye health include the following:
- Raw red bell peppers are good for the blood vessels that are present in your eye. They’re also an amazing source of vitamin C. Bell peppers lower your risk of cataract. One way to consume them is by adding them to your salad bowl.
- Sunflower seeds are a wonderful source of Vitamin E that can prevent eye-related macular degeneration.
- Leafy greens are a must for eyes and your skin. At least one meal during the day should be veggies. Broccoli and squash are also good for eye health.
- Salmon and tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids that provide eye protection.
- Orange, carrots, mangoes, and sweet potatoes provide beta carotene for the proper functioning of your vision at night.
4. Consider Using Red Light Therapy
Exposure to UV rays is hazardous for the eyes but certain light-based therapies can help protect against retinal damage, macular degeneration, heal eye injuries, reduce chances of vision loss, and control inflammation.
Various studies support the efficacy of red light therapy for the eyes nowadays. There are red light therapy devices available for this purpose and you can easily find a quality device online. Red light therapy beds are one of the most common devices used for this purpose; these can be found easily online.
These devices come with instruction manuals but you should always consult your doctor first if you’re considering red light therapy.
5. Pamper Your Eyes from Time to Time
Soothe your eyes like you would for healthy and vibrant skin. For example, dip cotton balls in tea water, milk, or lavender oil and then place them on your eyelids.
You can also slice a cucumber and place them on your eyelids. You might have seen beauticians doing this during a facial because it freshens your eyes, reduces fatigue, and removes dark circles as well.
6. Wear Sunglasses When Going Out
It’s always best to use protective sunglasses before going out, especially if you’ll be spending hours under the sun. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause eye damage.
Even if you’re doing some house chore where you have to pull or drag something down or clean the dust, protect your eyes because something can hurt you.
7. Establish a Healthy Sleep Habit
Having adequate sleep is important for your eyes and overall health. After a long day, your eyes need to rest, heal, replenish, and get lubricated.
When there is too much pressure on the eyes due to a few hours of sleep, it may cause serious problems such as glaucoma and eye strain. Also, avoid using your digital devices around your bedtime. A minimum of 5 hours of sleep is required in order for your eyes to recharge.
8. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is essential for your eyes as it is for your skin and the rest of your organs. As you blink, fluids in your eyes keep the dirt and dust away.
Staying hydrated is important not only to maintain a healthy balance of those eye fluids but also to reduce the risk of certain eye diseases. That’s why smoking is dangerous for the eyes because it leads to dehydration.
If you’re prone to dry eyes, applying artificial tears will also help. Keep dust away from your home to prevent eye irritation and dryness.
Conclusion
Your eye demands a lot of attention and care to enable you to work and enjoy life for a long time. Let us realize the importance of our vision and try our best to preserve it. The tips we shared should enable you to give your eyes the care they deserve.