Eyes are sense organs that not just help you see but also define the quality of your life. When we talk about health care, we often tend to neglect eye health. Eye care is an integral aspect of the body’s overall functioning and also a crucial element for an active lifestyle. Being one of the most delicate parts of the body, your eyes need ample care and attention to optimally function. Owing to the fast-paced lifestyle and the rat race that people are running, many make the mistake of trivialising eye care. Don’t take your eyes for granted and it’s high time you give it the love it deserves.
Be it kids, adults, or the elderly, everyone is prone to eye diseases and conditions. However, the right eye care practices can help you prevent multiple eye infections and diseases. Myopia, cataract, glaucoma, and pink eye are just a few in the long list of eye conditions that can hamper your vision. Before any of these get hold of you, switch to an active eye care routine. The best eye care practices can range from simple changes in habits like a good diet, or sufficient sleep to getting annual eye checkups and behavioural eye tests done.
Here’s how good eye care and regular eye tests benefit you:
- Prevent the risk of most eye-related illnesses
- Reduce the risk of injuries and physical damage to the eye
- Monitor change in eyesight and chalk out the factors behind it
- Early diagnosis of eye diseases or other underlying conditions
Our Top 6 Eye Care Tips
We bring to you a list of 5 eye care tips so that you can start taking care of your eyes today!
1) Focus on your diet
You are what you eat, so a healthy diet means healthy eyes! Eye care begins with a step as simple as eating good and nutritious food. Add more greens and leafy vegetables to your daily meals. Greens veggies like spinach and kale are powerhouses of antioxidants, vitamins E and C which boost eye health. If you are not too fond of veggies, grapefruit and orange juices are delicious ways to get Vitamin C into your system. Did you know that the deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to dry eyes and even eventual blindness? Your body cannot produce Vitamin A, so start consuming more carrots, sweet potatoes, and eggs. Make yourself a carrot smoothie for breakfast every alternate day for healthy, twinkly eyes.
2) Sound sleep does wonders!
Well, this might sound like one of those overrated eye care tips but it is true! Like the other parts of your body, your eyes relax and repair when you sleep. When you don’t get adequate sleep, your eyes don’t get time to heal. Have you recently experienced dry, red eyes or twitching eyelids? That’s your eyes trying to tell you to stop binge-watching shows all night! Beyond dark circles, droopy and tired eyes, sleep deprivation can also lead to increased sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and even serious conditions like glaucoma. Sleeping for at least seven hours is a simple solution that you can add to your eye care routine. Skip the habit of scrolling through Instagram and turn off all screens so that you can sleep better. If you wear contact lenses, don’t forget to take them off before your head hits the pillow.
3) Quit smoking
Smoking adversely affects all parts of the body and the eyes are no exception. Do you know that smokers are three times more prone to eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataract? Smoking can damage the optic nerve and increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Even if you are not a smoker, passive smoke from cigarettes breaks the protective barrier on the surface of the eye, leading to irritation, infection, and dryness. Switch to nicotine replacements and therapy products to get rid of the habit. By ditching cigarettes, not only are you stepping closer to comprehensive eye care but you are also taking the first step towards a healthy lifestyle.
4) Exercise regularly
The fourth tip in our list of eye care tips is all about getting active. Multiple studies in the past decade have proven the relationship between physical exercise and eye health. Age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy are some eye conditions that are related to cardiovascular and overall physical health. Cardio workouts and regular exercise help increase the blood flow to the optic nerve and retina for clear vision. A brisk walk in the park for half an hour or fun activities like Zumba or dancing can improve blood circulation. Regular exercise not only enhances your eyesight but also boosts heart health.
5) Give your eyes a break!
Sitting in a room in front of the screen all day does no good to your eyes. Ditch the screen to step out and breathe some fresh air. Fresh air not only refreshes your mind but also provides a direct supply of oxygen to the cornea. If you love experimenting with eye makeup, make sure that you use quality-tested and eye-safe products only. And, don’t forget to wash off the products by the end of the day. Most kids also have the habit of often rubbing their eyes and exposing it to germs. Avoid rubbing the eyes and keep your hands clean to prevent eye infections and strain. Also, get a behavioural eye test to ensure optimal eye health.
6) Wondering what is a behavioural eye test?
One of the most basic eye care tips is to consult your optometrist and get your eyes tested regularly. Don’t skip your appointments and visit your eye expert when needed, so that they can monitor your eye health and update your prescription.
A behavioural eye test is more than just a standard eye test. A behavioural eye test considers your eyesight concerning your visual demands like reading, writing, or watching. When you see something, your interpretation of it does not solely depend on how clear your eyesight is. It is interwoven with developmental and behavioural patterns. Behavioural optometry is most helpful in the case of kids who are still in their learning stage.
Here are some symptoms that indicate that your kid needs a behavioural eye test soon:
- Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition in which the child can see objects that are close but their distance vision is blurry.
- Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a condition in which the child can see distant objects but their close-up vision is blurry.
- Lazy eye is yet another blurry eyesight condition that cannot be corrected with prescription glasses or surgery.
- Crossed eye is when a child’s eyes do not look in the same direction at the same time. While the condition sounds obvious, it’s not always the case. Only a behavioural optometrist or a general practitioner can help detect it.
- The child is struggling to focus the eyes or coordinate the hands and eyes.
Your child’s eye care is crucial for their holistic development. Their eyesight has a massive impact on their physical, mental and social being. Without a clear and healthy vision, they might miss out on the precious moments of school and the process of developing and growing up.
Get Your Eyes Checked at the Eye Lab Melbourne
At The Eye Lab, consult an optometrist and know whether your kid needs a behavioural eye test. Also, book an eye test for yourself and get worthy eye care tips from medical experts.