The eye is one of the most delicate and essential organs of the human body, as it senses light and transfers signals through optic nerve to the brain. And eye care is better than eye cure.
Good eye care slows down processes associated with ageing like macular degeneration. And note everyone should develop the habit of having a periodic check up of the eyes by an eye care practitioner, as remedial measures can help improve eyesight.
For example, children have the habit of watching TV programs at a close distance and for a long time. Glazing at the computer monitor without UV filters also reduces eyesight in children. They should, therefore, be properly guided on caring for their eyes in order to avoid problems in the future.
Also technical personnel, particularly welders, should use proper safety goggles during their job to avoid powerful UV radiations harming their eyes.
And people moving around in sunlight should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays. Same is the case with chemists experimenting in laboratories. They should necessarily use protective equipment like safety goggles while dealing with UV light source to avoid getting into trouble with their eyesight.
Nutrition plays an important role in eye care. Good eyesight relies largely on the kind of food we eat. Foods rich in vitamins like A, E are highly essential for our eye care.
o Delicious vegetables like carrot and spinach are rich in vitamin A and E respectively.
o Vitamin E is an antioxidant that prevents or reduces macular degeneration which leads to deterioration of eyesight.
o Vitamin C along with vitamin E protects the connective tissue.
o Minerals like zinc help in strengthening the eye cells.
o Fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids are extremely helpful in reducing macular degeneration of eye nerve cells. This also ensures good eye health.
o Aloe vera plant rich in ambrotose is a nutritional supplement that can prevent eye infections and improve body immunization system.
o Red blood cells are essential for normal functioning of the brain and nervous system including the eye. Vitamin B-12 assists in the formation of red blood cells.
o Three types of herbs contain beneficial nutrients for essential for eye care. They are bilberry extract, aspalathus and mahonia grape extract.
o Mahonia grape extract is good for the retina and should be a part of a good eye health care.
o Aspalathus is rich in antioxidants and extremely good for your immune functions and eye health.
o Bilberry usage in food nourishes the optic nerves, thereby improving night vision.
The chief cause of eyesight weakening can be attributed to tension and imbalance in different parts of human body. A regular exercise of the eye improves eye health to a great extent.
o One exercise involves holding the tip of a pencil one foot away from your eye and closing the other eye. You can alternately concentrate on the tip of the pencil and a farther object with the open eye. Eye muscles are strengthened with this workout.
o Blinking consciously 15 times every minute helps in cleaning and lubricating your eyes and also reduces tension in your body.
o You can train your mind to be aware of the complete scene beheld by the eye thereby being conscious of peripheral images. This helps in curing tunnel vision.
o Repeat flutter blinking 25 times rapidly.
Good eye care therefore requires you to concentrate on physical aspects like nutrition and exercise as well as the psychological aspects. I wish you good eye health by practicing the above exercises and eating nourishing and nutritious food.