How To Protect And Look After Your Eyes
Despite being of Almost importance, our vision often remains our second priority. Almost half the people who need vision correction in India do not even wear spectacles. Moreover, living in the digital age magnifies the strain on the eyes due to constant exposure to digital devices, television screens, computers, smartphones etc. Not only does this increase visual stress, it also increases our exposure to harmful UV and blue light emitted by these devices. But there are simple ways by which you can ensure better care for your eyes. Just follow these 10 guidelines to always keep your eyes healthy:
- Regular Eye Checkups
Though many people in India have adopted the concept of regular health checkups, a routine checkup for the eyes, is still a distant idea for many. Visiting an ophthalmologist once a year should be a priority to keep a check on the health and needs of your eyes. Regular eye checks not only look for variations in the refractive index but also help spot dangerous diseases like glaucoma in treatable stages. - Protection From UV Radiation
UV radiation is not only harmful for the skin but also for the eyes. Apart from directly coming from the sun, these rays are also reflected off from surfaces like water, sand and snow, apart from digital devices such as computer screens. Long-term exposure can cause cataracts and conjunctival changes. This is why it ¡s a healthy idea to wear spectacles that come with UV protection. - Follow The 20-20-20 Rule
With heavy dependence on digital devices like computers, smartphones, tablets, laptops and television, people tend to develop computer vision syndrome, which means excess strain on vision. Therefore, it has become imperative to follow the ‘20-20-20’ rule, which requires you to take away your eyes from a computer screen every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This is the best way to give your eyes some rest. - Use Anti-Glare Lenses
Visit an eye specialist for glasses specifically made for you. For those who work in front of a computer for long hours, ¡t is better to choose spectacles than contact lenses as they tend to dry the eyes out after some time. Getting prescribed spectacles helps the eyes stay glare and fatigue free. Also, wearing anti-glare glasses is really helpful in reducing strain to the eyes. And even if you do not need spectacles to correct your vision, consider wearing anti-glares, even at work. - Eat Healthy
Eating a balanced diet, rich in vitamin A, C and E is vital for ensuring eye health. Eat healthy foods like tomatoes, spinach, green leafy vegetables, kale, citrus fruits and dairy products. Doctors have also recommended intake of fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna. - Drink Water Regularly
Water really can do wonders to reduce fatigue and make eyes feel fresh. Drinking water at regular intervals will reduce the pulliness in your eyes, caused due to prolonged working hours sitting in front of a computer. - Watch Your Posture
Inappropriate posture while working on a computer contributes towards vision deficiency. Invest in ergonomic chairs to enable you to position your computer screen 20 to 24 inches from your eyes. - Protect From Damage
Sun or rays from computer screens are not the only sources of damage to the eyes. Swimming, playing sports or working with hazardous materials can also lead to eye problems. Therefore, wearing protective eyewear should be an important aspect before you indulge in any of the mentioned activities. - Quit Smoking
Along with other health hazards that smoking causes, it has harmful effect on the eyes as well by making one more susceptible to developing macular degeneration in the long run, smoking can also set off development of cataracts and optic nerve damage. - Check Family History
Many eye issues are also associated with genes. Conditions like achromatopsia, which makes a person sensitive to light, are often inherited from parents. Therefore, it Is beneficial to run through the family history once and take the necessary precautions.