Did you know that our irises have 256 unique characteristics? Our eyes are extraordinary organs that need care to ensure good vision.
Our eyes are truly unique. They have an immune system of their own and over two million working parts. With more than a million nerve fibres connecting them to the brain, our eyes indeed are a gift.
With the ability to see over 10 million different colours and the capability of a 576 Megapixels camera, they are second to none. Such special organs deserve good care so that we can continue enjoying the privilege of sight well into our old age.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets to have healthy eyes. In India, people suffer from various eye diseases, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, hyperopia, and more. Currently, our nation has an estimated 4.95 million blind people and 70 million vision-impaired people, out of which 0.24 million are children.
So, how can you prevent eye diseases and maintain clear vision and healthy eyes? Here are some tips.
Have a good diet.
Diet and nutrition are essential parts of maintaining good eye health. Some foods are particularly beneficial for the eyes, and consuming them regularly will help your body maintain clear vision into your senior years.
Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E can help avoid eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure you have green leafy vegetables like spinach and amaranth leaves. They are rich in zinc and vitamins.
If you consume fish, go for oily fish rich in omega-3 acids, such as salmon, tuna, and bombay duck. Vegetarians can have walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds, which are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
A balanced diet is necessary for healthy eyes. So make sure you include vision-healthy foods like fish, nuts, and leafy vegetables regularly.
Control your screen time.
Smartphones are ubiquitous and essential to our daily lives. However, staring at screens for long hours has its consequences. The effects of blue light from screens are still being studied. However, evidence has been found that constant exposure to screens can harm your eyes.
We cannot avoid using phones and computers, but we must be aware and restrict our screen times for better eye health.
Ensure you wear protective glasses if you spend long hours in front of the screen, and remember to rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Take breaks at least every 2 hours for 15 minutes to relax your eyes.
Quit smoking and restrict intoxication.
Smoking kills, and it kills more than just your cells in the lungs and brain. It can also damage your eyes. Regular smoking has been shown to increase the chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. It can also lead to vision loss.
If you consume intoxicants, reduce the frequency. Drinking alcohol can harm your eyes. It can cause hypertensive retinopathy, inflammation, and double vision. The long-term effects of drinking include optic neuropathy or optic atrophy. Regular consumption of alcohol can also result in loss of vision, decreased peripheral vision, and reduced colour vision.
Wear sunglasses when stepping out.
Next time you go out, remember to put on more than just your sunscreen. The sun is an essential source of vitamin D for the human body, but it can also harm our eyes. Regular exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase the chances of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Remember to wear a good pair of sunglasses that block 99–100% of the UVA and UVB rays. They will ensure that your eyes are protected, keeping them healthy.
Work out to maintain weight.
Working out and maintaining a healthy weight can help more than just your waistline. It can help your eyes too. Staying fit and working out can reduce the chances of developing type-2 diabetes. This type of diabetes severely impacts the eyes and damages blood vessels.
Diabetic retinopathy is a severe condition that occurs due to excess sugar in the bloodstream. It injures the arteries in the retina and causes the leakage of blood and fluid into the eye. Working out regularly can prevent the onset of type-2 diabetes and its complications.
Go for a walk or do resistance training. Engage in activities that you enjoy, and ensure that your weight is in check. It will give you a fitter body and better eyesight.
Remember that if you take good care of your eyes, you can even donate them and help other people see through your eyes. Haven't pledged your eye yet? Well, you can go to any of the below websites to pledge them today:
Ensure to take these steps in your everyday life to ensure good eye health. Our eyes are as unique as our fingerprints. Proactive, preventive measures are the best way to ensure the good health of your eyes so that you can rest assured they’ll support you throughout your life. You can get periodical eye tests to ensure good vision health.
Feel that eye exams and related-lab tests are costly? Allow Kenko Health to come to your rescue. Our Health Plans cater to all your medical needs, including vision care, dental care, doctor fees, lab tests, medicines, daily healthcare and much more.
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