Eye problems are becoming more prevalent in society today. According to the WHO, it is globally estimated that approximately 1.3 billion people live with some form of distance or near vision impairment. However, there seems to be an increase in the number of young people who have eye problems. Vision plays important role in human life. The eye is a small, delicate and important organ of the body. Don’t take your eyes for granted, prevention they say is better than cure.
These 6 easy steps will help you keep your peepers healthy
- Eat Well: Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Make conscious effort to fill your plate with Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collards, Salmon, tuna, Eggs, nuts, beans, Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices.
- Quit Smoking: It makes you more likely to get cataracts, damage your optic nerve, and macular degeneration, among many other medical problems. If you’ve tried to kick the habit before only to start again, keep at it. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed.
- 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. Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive. If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It’s still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.
- Look Away From the Computer Screen: Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long can cause eyestrain, blurry vision, trouble focusing at a distance, dry eyes, headaches, neck, back, and shoulder pain. Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. That lets you look slightly down at the screen. If your eye strain won’t go away, talk to your doctor about computer glasses with anti-glare coating.
- Beware of Eye Makeup: Liquid and creamy eye makeup may harbor bacteria. Toss out eye makeup and mascara every 3 months. Do not share makeup with others and avoid store samples. If you have allergies, choose hypoallergenic products and be careful when you use new products. Try one new product at a time so you can easily monitor for potential allergic reactions.
- Schedule Regular Eye Exams: If you want good eyesight and healthy eyes, see your eye doctor regularly for an eye exam. Even people who do not wear eyeglasses should get their eyes and vision checked regularly. Most people need an eye exam at least every other year between the ages of 18 and 60. Eye exams can detect problems like farsightedness, presbyopia, astigmatism, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The doctor can examine your retina, macula, and other parts of your eyes. The doctor will also assess your sight during the exam.
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