Tips To Improve Your Vision And Eye Health

One of the five sense organs of the body, the pair of eyes serves as an individual’s windows to a bigger world. Because people use their eyes everyday, they should be well taken care of.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), a consensus meeting was conducted in 2001 to create standard case definitions for several eye conditions, which include adult vision impairment, age-related macular degeneration, blindness, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, hyperopia, low vision, and myopia.

As per NEI, information was gathered from a review of principal epidemiological studies in coordination with their respective authors. Using a meta-analysis technique, they utilized age, race, and gender-specific prevalence rates as variables to cut the total variance of the pooled rate.

Using proper logistic regression models, the pooled prevalence rates were applied to the Census population in the United States in 2010 and 2011. As per the data obtained, results led NEI to deduce that between 2010 and 2050, the estimated number of people affected by the most common eye disorders would be twice its previous count.

In line with this projected increase rate of eye disorder cases, people should be aware on how to preserve eye health and vision.

Nutrition is a key element of eye care. According to Web MD, a person should consider nutrition for a good vision. The publication added that protecting one’s eyes begins with the food on his plate. As per some studies, nutrients, such as zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, lutein and vitamin E can help prevent age-related vision impairment, such as macular degeneration, as well as cataracts.

Foods that are viewed as excellent sources include spinach, green leafy vegetables kale, and collards; non-meat protein sources like eggs, nuts, beans; citrus fruits like oranges; and oily fish like salmon and tuna. Carrots and other orange-colored fruits and vegetables are also foods that enhance eye health and vision, as per Health. The publication said that these foods are rich sources of vitamin A that aids to the optimal function of the different parts of the eyes, such as the retina.

Controlling one’s time in front of the computer screen also helps preserve optic health. According to College of Optometrists optometric adviser Dr. Susan Blakeney (via News Medical), computers would not cause permanent eye damage; nonetheless, they could result to eye strains or aggravate existing eye conditions. To reduce the impact of using computers to one’s eyes, one should set up his computer screen at a level at which the eyes are comfortable.

The top of the screen should be at eye level while the screen should be at about 18 to 30 inches from the person. For computer glares, the screen can be titled back to about 10 to 15 degrees, with consideration to the person’s preference. A glare screen can also be used, as well as blinds over nearby windows.

People enjoy swimming and other aquatic activities, especially in the swimming pool and at the beach. According to Best Health Magazine, wearing goggles in activities that involve submerging the eyes underwater and doing carpentry would protect the eyes. The publication said that a snuggly fitting pair of swimming goggles would safeguard the eyes from the potential damage from chlorine while carpentry goggles would prevent the eyes, especially the cornea, from having abrasions due to debris.

Smoking management is one of the ways to prevent eye damage. Cigarette smoking infuses nicotine to the blood stream, which promotes constriction of the blood vessels, including the blood vessels the supply nutrients and oxygen to the eyes. According to Get Eyes Smart, avoiding and quitting smoking and second hand smoke are some of the greatest investments when it comes to long-term eye health. The publication added that the risks for eye diseases like cataract and age-related macular degeneration brought about by smoking would be reduced to a level that was parallel to people who had not smoked at any point in their lives.

Overall, a pair of healthy eyes is one of the best assets in a person’s body. Along with proper care and lifestyle, they will enable people to function independently in any setting.