As a bestselling wellness author and someone who wears glasses, I know how important it is to prevent and reduce the risk of developing eye diseases. So read on for tips and insights!
Numerous lifestyle variables that may be changed increase the risk of vision loss, and pharmacists should be ready to advise patients on how to do so.
The most useful sense for most individuals is sight. It enables you to comprehend and navigate the environment. Thus, it’s crucial to take appropriate care of your eyes to continue functioning normally in the future.
More than 200 different eye ailments exist, ranging from more prevalent issues, including dry eye disease (DED), cataracts, and glaucoma, to more uncommon diseases (e.g., ocular melanoma and vernal keratoconjunctivitis).
Several of these induce blindness – before people even realize it – because they have no symptoms.
No worries. I’m here to help.
As you might know I’m a bestselling wellness author and health research geek who loves to share tools about how to live healthier and longer, while maintaining good health and clarity of mind.
I share many health-boosting techniques inside my book “Life is Long.”
I decided to write this article, because I personally wear glasses. As a result, I’m particularly aware of how important it is to prevent and reduce the risk of developing eye diseases.
What common eye conditions can we avoid?
Dry eyes can significantly irritate the eyes and impede vision, typically in both eyes. Red eyes, stringy eye mucus, light sensitivity, and an itchy feeling in the eyes are among the symptoms.
The absence of tears, which are necessary to keep your eyes moist, healthy, and infection-free, is the root cause of dry eyes. You might not have any tears because your tears evaporate faster or produce less. Unfortunately, the causes of decreased tear production frequently cannot be avoided.
Pollen, dander, or other allergens can cause allergic conjunctivitis, which manifests as swelling or irritation of the eye’s outer layer.
Histamine, a molecule released into the eyes by allergens, causes the blood vessels in the eye’s outer layer to swell. As a result, the eyes may immediately start to itch, get red, and water.
Tips to Prevent Vision Loss:
The increase in screen time is one of the major causes of myopia in children nowadays,. Computer vision syndrome (CVS), or symptoms associated with using a computer, has been rapidly increasing due to growing reliance on digital devices.
Four groups of CVS symptoms can be identified:
- Asthenopia
- Difficulty focusing (visual blur)
- Dry or painful eyes related to the ocular surface
- Dry eyes
Smoking makes age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye conditions more likely. Smoking cessation can lower your risk.
Although you should, giving up is so difficult. What if you knew it could cause age-related macular degeneration and cataracts? Smoking increases your risk of developing heart illnesses, which have a negative impact on your eye health. Smoking causes dry eyes or exacerbates the problem
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Consume a nutritious, balanced diet:
Increase your intake of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E can help shield your eyes from harm.
Our eyes benefit from the same things that are helpful for our general health. Healthy eyes require a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, whole grains, vegetable oils, and seafood.
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Defend your eyes from UV rays and wear sunglasses:
Sunglasses provide more than simply aesthetic purposes! Use a protective hat and sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection if you intend to spend the entire day outside in the sun. Furthermore, avoid looking directly at the sun because it harms your eyes.
Wear sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays when you’re outside.
If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on one thing, you can forget to blink sometimes, which could cause your eyes to feel fatigued.
Instead, try applying the 20-20-20 rule:
Look 20 feet in front of you, for around 20 seconds every 20 minutes, and look aside.
This brief exercise helps reduce eye strain.
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Get a regular eye check-up:
Regular eye exams help identify eye disorders in their earliest stages when they are easier to treat.
You should have an eye check-up every year or two. Especially if you have a family history of eye disorders or are over 60.
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Know your family history:
Your risk may be higher if your family has a history of eye conditions. This is because eye diseases may run in families. See your eye doctor for assistance if you want to avoid developing eye disorders.
Ask your family members about their eye health history. Given that many eye conditions and diseases are inherited, it is crucial to know if anyone has ever been given a diagnosis. Your risk of developing an eye disease or condition will be determined with the use of this information.
Conclusion:
Eye disorders are frequently not discovered in time for successful treatment since they do not have overt symptoms, such as pain. However, an eye problem is more likely to be discovered early if you see an ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Early identification can prevent or delay disease and, in the case of cataracts, can even restore normal vision.
Get More Tips to Protect Your Health
Explore the many health-boosting techniques inside my longevity book “Life is Long.”
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