Looking good may be high on your priority list but make sure your eyes don't give you away.
Looking fashionable is not just about a healthy skin and body, your eyes also play an important role in helping you look good. We believe in caring for our bodies but very often neglect the eyes. These windows to your soul also need your attention to stay beautiful. Tired or unwell eyes can completely ruin your looks. Harsh sunlight and dust and grime are the reasons for swollen eyes. Monsoon increases the chances of infections, polluted rainwater can discolour eyes, and even not eating right can cause problems.
Suggestions
Protect your eyes while working: It's important to protect your eyes from injury, foreign particles and strain. Wear protective eyewear when playing games or while engaging in outdoor activities. Many eye care providers and sports goods stores sell protective eyewear. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times.
Wear Sunglasses: Sunglasses can not only give you that awesome style statement, but also protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 per cent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and wear them even on cloudy days
Don't smoke: Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness, so kick that butt for good.
Clean your hands: To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly after working or engaging in outdoor activities. Direct eye contact of infected hands is a leading cause for many eye infections. Clean your hands before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Clean your hands after any outdoor or messy activity.
Watch your weight: Being obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, this can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, take the help of professionals and consult your physician.
Know your family's medical history: Certain illnesses are hereditary and signs for them have to be watched for at an early stage. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It's important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition that can be hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition in the future.
Visit your doctor frequently: Regular checks can go a long way in maintaining a healthy eye. Visit your doctor regularly and get a comprehensive dilated eye examination. When it comes to common vision problems, many people don't realise they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. Besides, eye conditions like glaucoma and age related degeneration can be caught early with a dilated eye exam and treatments can be started to cure or control the condition.
Balanced diet
You've heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach is important for keeping your eyes healthy too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna.
Regular rest
Your eyes get strained when working or reading for long hours. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or on focusing on a particular object for long hours, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. The 20-20-20 rule is very beneficial in these situations: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain to a great extent.
Dr.B.S.R.MURTHY is a Chief Medical Officer & Consultant Ophthalmologist, Vasan Eye Care Hospital.
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