5 tips for maintaining and improving your vision
Your eyes play an important role in your health. There are many steps you can take to ensure your eyes are protected and remain as healthy as possible. We have selected the best tips to improve your vision and help you protect your eyes until your old age.
There are many steps you can take to ensure your eyes are protected from disease and damage. Millions of people face eye problems every year. Some eye problems cause permanent vision loss or blindness, while others can be corrected with contact lenses or glasses.
The WHO estimates that between 2010 and 2050, the number of individuals affected by the most common eye diseases, including: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma will "double ". Many of us are resigned to the fact that as we age, our eyesight will deteriorate. But can we improve our vision, protect it and prevent many of the diseases that compromise our eye health?
Here are five ways to protect your eyes from damage and disease and maintain healthy vision
1. Get regular eye exams
The best thing you can do to take care of your eyesight is to have regular eye exams. Go for regular vision checks with a trained eye specialist who can spot early signs of problems. Although your vision may appear healthy, there is no way to be 100% sure unless a trained professional observes your eyes. An eye exam not only helps determine whether or not you need glasses, but also detects eye conditions that can be treated effectively if caught early enough. A type of eye exam called a comprehensive dilated eye exam is recommended starting at age 60, or earlier if you are at increased risk of certain eye diseases. During a complete dilated eye exam, an eye care specialist instills drops in each eye to widen or dilate the pupil. Once dilated, more light enters the eye, allowing the ophthalmologist to see the macula, retina, and optic nerve and identify any signs of damage or disease.
2. Eat foods that are good for your eyesight
It is possible to eat to have healthy vision. We often hear that eating carrots is beneficial for the eyes, but there are many other foods that are also important for good eyesight.
For example, consumption of grapes has been linked to a lower risk of AMD. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been shown to promote eye health. Dark leafy vegetables, in particular, including collard greens, kale, and spinach, contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that help prevent the formation of cataracts. There is evidence that grapes can also contribute to eye health. In a laboratory model of retinal degeneration, scientists showed that a diet enriched with grapes protected the retina against the harmful effects of oxidative stress. Other research has indicated that grapes provide higher levels of antioxidant protection for the eyes than lutein alone and may slow or help prevent AMD.
Studies have found that consuming fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, halibut, mackerel, sardines, and tuna, has benefits for eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids may improve ocular surface inflammation and symptoms of eye irritation associated with moderate to severe dry eye. They can also help vision cells survive future illness or injury.
3. Control your weight
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes or other systemic disorders, which can eventually lead to vision loss.
Maintain a healthy weight to avoid obesity-related eye conditions. It's never too late to control your weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly to prevent vision complications. Research has found that significant weight loss can potentially reverse eye damage caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Another study recently presented at the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, found that physically active people are 73 percent less likely to develop glaucoma than more sedentary people. This finding highlights the importance of an active lifestyle.
4. Wear sunglasses outside
In addition to being a trendy fashion accessory, the most important role of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays emitted by the sun. A 2016 Vision Council report found that while three-quarters of people were concerned about eye problems that could result from UV rays, only 31% of them protected their eyes with sunglasses when going outside. When choosing sunglasses, never prioritize style over safety. Look for glasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays and always buy from a trusted source.
Whether you're going to the beach, surfing the waves, hiking in the mountains, or cheering on your favorite football team, be sure to protect your eyes and wear the appropriate sunglasses.
5. Rest your eyes regularly
If you work in front of a computer screen all day, you may forget to blink often and end up with tired eyes at the end of the day. Try implementing the 20-20-20 rule.
Get outdoors as much as possible to prevent myopia. For every 20 minutes you spend staring at a screen, look at something else about 8 inches in front of you for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain. Research indicates that half of the world's population will be nearsighted by 2050 if we continue to spend so much time on nearby electronic devices.
The study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, suggests that spending more time outdoors and less time doing activities that require constant close focus could be a strategy to reduce the number of people who experience loss of vision. If you must wear protective eyewear as part of your job, make it a habit to wear the proper equipment at all times to keep your eyes in tip-top shape and prevent damage or eye strain.