Tips for Healthy Eyes

One of the most important and fragile parts of our existence rests squarely in the middle of our face – the eyes! Not only do the vast majority of people rely on their eyes as their primary sense, but the eyes themselves are far more vulnerable to damage than other sense organs. The human eye is one of the most complex evolutionary advancements of our species, but it is far less protected than the eyes of other creatures. Composed of the cornea and the sclera, connected by the limbus, these tissues are directly exposed to the elements whenever our eyes are open, and even small injuries to the eye can cause irreparable damage and permanent alteration of your vision.

Despite knowing all of that, people are careless with their eyes, assuming that an occasional check-up or a new prescription is all they need to protect this vital sense. Furthermore, the eye can easily become infected by outside pathogens, due to its exposed nature, so you must be vigilant in washing your hands and ensuring that your eyes don’t come in contact with foreign materials.

Eat right to protect your sight :-

You’ve heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.

Maintain a healthy weight :-

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 or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.

Wear protective eyewear :-

Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for a certain activity. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye care providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sporting goods stores.

Quit smoking or never start :-

Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.

Be cool and wear your shades :-

Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Give your eyes a rest :-

If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. 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 eyestrain.

Exercise More :-

 Although the direct correlation hasn’t been explained, studies have shown that regular exercise can prevent the development of macular degeneration. The renewal of energy and the general metabolic boost of exercise can flood the body with beneficial hormones and increase healing and repair, even in the eyes!

Oranges :-

Oranges and orange juice are quoted as being the ultimate source of vitamin C, and while you can get this vitamin in plenty of other places, oranges might be the easiest to access. Along with boosting the immune system, the ascorbic acid in oranges also functions as an antioxidant and protects vision from cataracts and macular degeneration.

Take a Break from the Computer :-

 In our modern world, we spend a lot of time in front of screens – from smartphones and tablets to computers and televisions – but we must be careful about how our eyes are being affected. Continuous screen time can cause us to blink far less frequently, but blinking is how our eyes stay moist and protected from outside irritants. Therefore, tear your eyes away from the screen and blink a bit… your eyes will thank you!

Carrots :-

One of the nutrients commonly connected to eye health and vision improvement is beta carotene, and as the name slightly implies, a great source of this nutrient is… carrots! If you add these crunchy vegetables to your diet, you’ll be booting your antioxidant content with carotenoids. These powerful compounds neutralize free radicals and protects the eye from macular degeneration and many other vision-related issues.

Fish :-

It’s a common misconception that all fatty acids are bad for the body; in fact, some types of fatty acids are considered “good cholesterol” and are needed by the body to function properly. When it comes to the eyes, fatty acids improve retinal function, reduce dryness in the eyes, and is important for initial development of vision function. Oily fish like salmon and tuna are packed with beneficial fatty acids, and you can also get these benefits from fish oil supplements.

Eggs :-

Beta carotene often gets the attention when discussing vision health, particularly in relation to chomping on carrots, but there are other important organic compounds that factor into eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin, for example, both of which are found in eggs, also play an important antioxidant role in the eyes, protecting against macular degeneration and cataract development.