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With increasing pollution and levels of dust and grime our eyes need special care and attention. While we typically look after our skin, hair and other parts of the body, we tend to neglect eye care. As we grow older, it is common for our vision to weaken.
Vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are common among older adults. You can’t prevent your eyes from aging, but you can slow age-related damage by taking care of your eye health.
The following tips can help you take care of your eyes and preserve clear vision:
Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. The first and foremost in eye care is the diet. Make sure that your intake includes plenty of fruits and vegetables specially those with yellow and orange pigments a yellow ones like carrots, mangoes, papaya, corn, squash, and citrus fruits. Leafy dark green vegetables like kale and spinach also promote eye health. All of these foods are rich in beta carotene which helps to have healthy eyes.
Wear sunglasses and a hat. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage eyes just as they can damage skin. The best way to protect eyes from sun rays, especially during peak daytime is to wear sunglasses with UV filters. If you plan to be outside for long periods of time, wear a wide-brimmed hat for extra protection from UV rays.
Do not rub. Avoid excessive rubbing of your eyes as the irritation caused due to rubbing or touching will only cause more puffiness. Instead just blink your eyelids. Blinking is a good massage and exercise to the eyes.
Take frequent breaks. Another way to prevent eyestrain is to take frequent breaks from the computer screen, reading materials, and television. It is recommended to look away every 10 minutes for 15 seconds to give your eyes adequate rest.
Turn the lights on. While you won’t permanently hurt your eyes by reading or working in a dimly lit area, you can cause temporary eyestrain, which can lead to headaches and fatigue. Protect your eyes by making sure your workspace is adequately lit.
Exercise regularly. Simple every day eye exercises like closing your eyes gently for 30 seconds to relax them in between your work, rotating your eyes often to relax muscles and moving your eyeballs from extreme left corner to the right corner is good for maintaining healthy eyes. To prevent blurred vision follow this simple exercise: hold a pencil at arm’s length and slowly bring it towards your nose, keeping eyes focused at all times.
Get adequate sleep. Rest is vital in the eye care routine. It will not only refresh the eyes but also improve their efficiency. Getting adequate sleep keeps your whole body refreshed, including your eyes.
Get regular eye exams. Starting at age 40, get annual eye exams and have your eye doctor look for signs of eye damage. Even if you have no complaints it’s important to see a doctor and have a routine eye check up. Many potentially serious vision problems can be successfully treated if they are detected early enough. If you experience cloudy, blurred or double vision, or any other eye pain seek the car of your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment before the problem becomes permanent.
You can’t stop time, but you can take care of your eyes so that they remain healthy as you age. Having clear vision is possible at any age. The above eye care tips will ensure that your eyes remain healthy and beautiful for a very long time.
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