Look after your eyes
Eye Care Awareness Month aims at raising awareness about the importance of eye health – specifically regarding the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.
According to experts, blindness is preventable in up to 80% of cases with proper treatment and precautionary measures.
Here are some things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy and look after one of your greatest assets.
Eye exams: Getting regular eye exams to ensure early detection of potential problems such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. Most people with vision problems should see their eye doctor once a year to monitor changes in sight.
. Wear sunglasses: The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration.
. Know your history: Many eye diseases are hereditary. Talk to family members about their eye health history.
. Quit smoking: Smoking reduces the blood flow to your eyes. It makes you more likely to get cataracts, macular degeneration and damage to your optic nerve, among many other medical problems.
. Healthy meals: Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Eat foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, such as cooked carrots, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, oranges, paw-paw and melon.
. Rest your eyes: If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, you might forget to blink your eyes and your eyes can get tired – leading to eye fatigue from your screen. To reduce eyestrain, use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet (5 – 6 m) in front of you for 20 seconds.
. Protective eyewear: To prevent eye injuries, you need eye protection when playing certain sports, working at jobs such as factory work and construction, and doing repairs or projects at home.
. Take infections seriously: If you suspect an eye infection, contact your doctor or eye care practitioner.
. Avoid rubbing your eyes: Your hands are exposed to a lot of dust and bacteria which can be transferred to your eyes.
. Stay hydrated: Enough fluid intake is essential to your body’s overall well-being, including your eyes-which can get dry and irritated from lack of fluid.
. Use the right kind of eye makeup. Be cautious of products that cause allergic reactions and remember to use a makeup remover before going to bed to avoid bacterial build-up in the eye area.
Your vision is a great gift. Pay it the attention it deserves.
Source: Worcester Standard News