We are fortunate to have five sense organs and luckier if they all function well. Because of them, we can freely engage with our environs. We can see, taste, hear, touch, and smell. Without question, each of these senses is vital, but vision takes precedence.
We lose our independence when we lose our sight. Unfortunately, we have a propensity to overlook and disregard it. However, it is critical to nurture, monitor, and track our eye health in the same manner as we do for any other organ, such as the heart.
Maintaining a Healthy Eye
Ignoring eye care burns not only your pocket but also lowers the quality of your life. It might lead to eye problems, such as poor vision, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract, to mention a few.
As a result, you should make conscious efforts to avoid or delay the development of such eye conditions. Here’s how to do that:
Schedule Regular Eye Tests
A comprehensive and periodic eye examination is strongly recommended. It is critical to detect and treat vision problems as early as possible. Take vision tests to see whether you have near-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia. You can consider optic nerve and ocular pressure tests to detect glaucoma.
Also, ask your doctor to check your eye coordination. Before and after dilatation, you should undergo microscopic and external eye exams. Tell your doctor about your family history so that he may conduct a more thorough analysis.
Such examinations are critical for identifying and treating asymptotic eye disorders, such as glaucoma before it is too late.
Invest in Eyeglasses and Shades
Following the examinations, you may discover vision problems, such as near-sightedness or farsightedness. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for eyeglasses. These glasses help you see clearly.
You should also get a pair of high-quality sunglasses that block UV radiation. It is essential if you spend most of your time outdoors. Whether the sun is shining, you are constantly exposed to UV radiation. These radiations are hazardous and can result in eye health issues, such as cornea burns.
UVA and UVB rays have also been linked to macular degeneration and cataract development, as well as the deadliest eye condition, eyelid cancer. As a result, you should use sunglasses to protect your eyes. Sunglasses protect your eyes by blocking UV rays, dirt, and debris.
It’s essential to buy spectacles and sunglasses from a reputable eyeglass store. Some eyeglass retailers also take eye tests. So, you may book one with them. If you have a prescription, ask them to make a pair of prescription sunglasses for you. After all, you don’t want to deal with UV rays with regular glasses, do you?
Reduce Screentime
Excessive screen time is harmful to the eyes. It causes impaired vision, difficulties with long-distance concentration, dry eyes, eyestrain, headache, and age-related macular degeneration. Reduce and regulate screen time to avoid these risks. You should consider the following things to make this happen:
Go to an eyeglass store and ask for computer-specific glasses. If you have a prescription, request that they make prescription computer reading glasses for you. They will protect your eyes from the damaging blue light emitted by electronic devices, such as laptops and cell phones.
- Repeatedly blink your eyes in case your eyes dry up
- To rest your eyes, use the 20-20-20 rule. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of screen use
- Adjust the screen to be at least 25 inches away from your eyes
- Keep the screen at eye level or a little lower
- Take a 15-minute break every two hours
Consume Healthy Food
Load up your platter with vitamin C and vitamin E. Also, consume lots of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and lutein-rich foods. These nutrients improve vision and help avoid eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration.
If you already have one, they will assist in slowing the progress of your condition. Consume plenty of green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Eat eggs, fish, nuts, and beans because they are high in protein. You can also request your doctor to prescribe the necessary supplements.
Keep an Eye Out for Eye Problems
Don’t depend on routine eye exams to detect vision problems. Look for signs and symptoms yourself. Frequent light flashes, double vision, eye strain, eye discomfort, swelling around the eyes, difficulties seeing in low light, blurry visions, blobs, and red eyes are all red flags. If you happen to experience them, seek immediate medical attention.
Conclusion
In addition to the above practices, you can consider some lifestyle changes for optimum eye health. For instance, you can allow your eye cornea to bathe in some fresh air for oxygen, sleep properly for strain-free eyes, and drink lots of water to avoid dry eyes and prevent eye health concerns.
