The health of your eyes is determined by a lot of factors such as the foods you eat, any underlying health conditions and if you exercise on a regular basis. There are a number of ways in which you can ensure that your eyes obtain optimum health. Below is a discussion of what these ways are:
1. Good room lighting
Good room lighting can really make a room look wonderful but it is also healthy to your eyes. Excessively bright light should be avoided because it irritates the eyes while too little light causes the eyes to strain.
Your lampshade should shine on your desk and not at you. The window light should not be behind or in front of you; instead it should be off to the side. Your computer screen should not reflect light from your windows. If it does, get a glare screen and use blinds.
2. Smoking
People who smoke have a higher chance of developing lung cancer as they have at losing their sight. Smoking damages the tissues in the eye and increases the amount of toxins that can damage your cells. In fact, it speeds up the aging process and prevents your body from absorbing the necessary nutrients.
3. Use eye drops for dry eyes
If you do not have enough tears to keep your eyes moist then eye drops might be a possible solution for you. Dry eye is actually a condition and it can result in swollen, red, tired and itchy eyes. Eye drops can be bought over the counter and are supposed to be used for mild symptoms of dry eye. Eye drops with preservatives should not be used more than four times a day as they can irritate your eyes in high doses. Eye drops without preservatives should only be used once although they are the least irritating to the eyes.
4. Give your eyes a break
If you spend most of your time on the computer, your eyes might get fatigued. The solution to this is to apply the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes, look away from your computer screen and stare 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds. You should also consider taking a break from your computer for ten minutes after every 2 hours.
5. Protect your eyes
Being in bright light or starring at the sun directly for long periods can have serious consequences on your eyes. When you are outdoors, always ensure that you wear a hat and protective sun glasses. The sun glasses that you choose should have a high degree of ultraviolet protection. When going for sporting events such as paint ball, always ensure that you protect your eyes from damage. In addition, always wear protective eye wear if your job requires it.
6. Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy balanced diet can help keep your eyes free from diseases and infections such as cataracts and macular degeneration. You should ensure that you include fruits rich in vitamin A in your diet. Such foods include brightly colored vegetables and fruits. Leafy green and dark vegetables are rich in antioxidants which protect your eyes from cell damage.
7. Get regular eye exams
According to a study by American Optomeric Association, only half of the 85% of people who viewed their eyesight as their most valued asset had ever gone for an eye exam in the past two years. It’s rather obvious that if you care about your eyesight you should go to a doctor and get regular checkups but surprisingly, many of us do not. Adults over the age of forty should have regular eye exams while children should have their first eye exam at the age of 6 months to one year.
8. Exercise frequently
Regular exercises help to prevent macular degeneration and other forms of poor eye health. Studies by medical experts show that people who engage in moderate or regular exercises such as walking at least 3 times a week reduce their chances of developing age related eye conditions.
In summary, if you follow the above tips, you will not be counted as part of the population currently facing eye problems. Some eye problems cannot be easily corrected but they can be avoided. Some conditions such as macular degeneration may not start showing earlier and may only show up later in life when significant damage has been done.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Eneas De Troya
