Your eyes are your window to the world. They enable you to see and navigate day-to-day life, and protecting them is therefore critical. Also, the first signs of life-threatening complications of several diseases may be seen in the eyes. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, increased pressure in the brain, and several tumours. Understanding why it is important to take care of your eyes, is also the first step towards improving the health of your eyes.
Reducing risk of eye diseases
Even though most age related diseases cannot be prevented completely, the onset of cataract and Age Related Macular Degeneration may be delayed. Consuming an antioxidant-rich diet may help ward off these complications, or decrease their progression.
The best antioxidants for eye health include:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamins C and E
- Zinc
Dietary Omega-3 fatty acids may prevent dry eye, meibomian gland disease and make your eyes more comfortable.
Early detection of eye diseases
When you are careful about your eyes, you might be able to detect any change in vision early.
Here are some signs that indicate that your vision is changing:
- Squinting or squeezing your eyes to see clearly
- Blurred vision for either near or distance
- Watching TV with one eye shut
- Frequent headaches and eye strain
- Recurrent styes and eye infections
Early detection of eye diseases like refractive error, that is the need for glasses, may help prevent amblyopia in children. Early diagnosis of glaucoma may help prevent irreversible vision loss, once timely treatment is initiated.
Decrease risk of eye injury
Selecting the right type of protective glasses best suited for your lifestyle, work environment and chosen sports may prevent sigh threatening eye injuries.
Use of sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B may help prevent age related macular degeneration, cataracts, as well as pterygium. These also increase eye comfort by preventing glare, and protecting the eyes from dust and pollutants.
How to Take Care of Your Eyes
Here are some easy to follow tips on how to take care of your eyes:
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Exercise regularly to maintain your body weight
- Maintain your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol with in healthy limits
- Stop smoking
- Wear appropriate glasses as prescribed by your doctor
- Protect your eyes from UV radiation
- Wear protective goggles during sports and work conditions which can result in eye injuries.
- Be very cautious about hygiene, duration of use and eye infections when using contact lenses.
- Decrease your screen time.
- Blink often.
- Rest your eyes.
- Visit your eye doctor at least once a year if above the age of forty, and once every alternate year if younger.
- Do not ignore symptoms of eye disease like headaches, decreased vision, blurred vision, eye strain, red eyes and painful eyes.
