Eye care, you care!
Waking up every day and seeing the world around you is a true blessing. As Henry David Thoreau once said, "the eye is the jewel of the body.” So, it’s important to take care of your eyes and you’re in luck, because it only takes a few daily adjustments to your routine to do so. Read the below steps that your beautiful eyes will thank you for.
Eye tests on the regular
It’s recommended to go for regular eye exams, even if you think you have perfect vision and no eye issues. When it comes to common and not so severe eye problems people often don’t even know that they may need glasses or contact lenses. Imagine, you could be an eye test away from seeing the detail of leaves on the trees. Diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages.
What’s in the past…
Is important – check your family’s eye health history to determine if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition, as these may be hereditary. Knowing this will help you and your eye care professional rule out if you are at a higher risk of developing certain eye complications or diseases.
Your future’s bright
Wear sunglasses when exposed to sunlight to protect them from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Sun damage is a serious thing and simply wearing sunglasses will prevent future eye issues (plus, sunnies look cool, so it’s really a win-win).
Look, but don’t touch
Try to avoid touching and rubbing your eyes regularly to prevent infection. If you wear contact lenses, make sure your hands are clean before putting contacts in and taking them out. If something’s gotten into your eyes (dust, hair etc.) wash them with sterile saline solution. However, if this does not work then it may be better to see a doctor.
Eye candy
Colourful fruit and vegetables are great to look at, but they’re good for your eye health (and overall health) too. Make sure you include fruit and vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, spinach and sweet potatoes in your diet as well as a dose of Omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are all great sources of Omega-3. Don’t forget about your cheese, dairy and poultry, because these are great sources of zinc which is known to maintain eye health and promote better vision.
Weighing in
Believe it or not, your weight influences your eye health too and that’s another reason why a balanced and healthy diet with the correct amount of nutrients and vitamins is so important. Eating correctly combined with regular physical exercise plays a vital role in preventing unhealthy weight gain. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease.
Practice safe screen time
If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer or focus on one thing for a prolonged period of time remember to take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Try the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eye fatigue.
Here are a few ways you can give your eyes some TLC after a long day:
Cucumber
Place a slice of chilled cucumber over each eye – this works wonders for puffy and tired eyes.
Tomato, turmeric and lime
Mix a paste of tomato pulp, a pinch of turmeric and a half teaspoon of lime – apply this around your eyes when they feel tired. Let it dry, then wash off.
Rose Water
Diminish circles with rejuvenating rose water. Dip cotton pads in rose water and place them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Do this every day.
Teabags
Soak two teabags in hot water and then cool them completely by placing them in the fridge. Place a tea bag over each eye to help reduce puffiness and to feel refreshed.
https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/good-eyesight#1
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/eye-care-tips/#gref
https://www.pearlevision.com/pv-us/eye-health/eye-care-tips