Good vision is one of the various signs of youth and good health. Several supplements, foods, exercises, and other lifestyle habits have been touted to promote eye health and even “cure” vision problems.
No scientific evidence suggests that you can correct vision problems, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (a vision problem due to abnormal eye curvature) with eye massages or “supplements.”
Avoiding proper medical or surgical treatment for eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataract, with the hope of “curing them naturally” can cause serious consequences and even loss of vision. Nonetheless, some healthy habits can help promote eye health and good eyesight.
If you have any vision problems, it is better to consult your doctor along with following healthy habits for good eyesight.
10 tips to promote healthy eyesight
- A healthy diet: Like any other structure in your body, your eyes require good nutrition. A diet rich in nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, E, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants helps promote healthy vision and protects your eyes from disease conditions. A diet that has sufficient green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and seafood can provide most of these vital nutrients. You may even consult your doctor to know whether you need any supplements.
- Exercises: Exercise is important for your body, including your eyes. It helps ensure healthy blood flow and prevents various diseases. Ask your doctor or optometrist about eye exercises to train your eye muscles.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking contains various harmful compounds that can harm almost every part of the body including your eyes, heart, blood vessels, brain, and kidneys, and even cause cancer. Avoid active and passive smoking. If you smoke and find it difficult to quit, take professional help.
- Manage stress: Stress can induce a state of inflammation in your body. Managing stress is good for overall health including eye health. Indulge in things that calm your mind, such as gardening, swimming, music, or meditation.
- Give them rest: In today’s era of electronic gadgets, your eyes have become too vulnerable to fatigue. To protect your eyes from strain and prevent vision issues, ensure that you give adequate rest to your eyes. Take breaks for about 20 seconds, every 20 minutes while using screens. Focus on something far away (such as 20 feet away) during this break. Limit screen time as much as possible. Get enough sleep to rejuvenate your eyes and mind.
- Manage any underlying health conditions: Health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can damage your eyes. Ensure that you maintain your blood sugar and blood pressure levels through proper treatment, lifestyle habits, and regular visits to your doctor. Maintain a healthy body weight to avoid chronic conditions that can harm your eyes.
- Wear vision aids as prescribed: You must wear your glasses or lenses as prescribed by your doctor. They help you see better and prevent further strain on your eye muscles. Wear your glasses or lenses as and when prescribed. Get them changed if your myopia increases or if they develop scratches.
- Improve your work environment: A well illuminated but not too bright to cause discomfort workspace helps prevent eye fatigue. Ensure that you do not sit in a place where it is too dry or windy because it can cause dry eyes. Use a humidifier if needed.
- Wear protective eyewear: Wearing proper eye gear required for your work is important. Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent ultraviolet protection when you step out in the sun. Choose good quality and scratch-resistant lenses. Clean your glasses and lenses properly.
- Visit your eye doctor as and when required: Regular visits to your eye doctor help diagnose eye conditions at an early stage when they can be easily managed. You may require more frequent eye examinations if you have certain conditions, such as diabetes. Do not delay visiting your doctor if you have eye symptoms, such as blurring of vision, eye pain, watery eyes, or redness.
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Medically Reviewed on 5/11/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Image
Harvard Health Publishing. The lowdown on eye exercises. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-lowdown-on-eye-exercises
Medline Plus. Eye Care. https://medlineplus.gov/eyecare.html
Harvard Health Publishing. The lowdown on eye exercises. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-lowdown-on-eye-exercises
Medline Plus. Eye Care. https://medlineplus.gov/eyecare.html
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