Do you realize the toll they take on your eyes, day-in and day-out?You simply can’t imagine a life without your gadgets – your iPad, your laptop, your smartphone and what not! From the moment you wake up, to the last yawn before wandering away to dreamland – your poor little ‘windows to the world’ are constantly glued to bright image popping LCDs – working away even while you relax or socialize on Facebook.
So, here are 5 top tips to help you improve your eye health and vision –
1. Food for your eyes only…
Eat healthy for your eyes. They need their regular doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and lutein to keep the retina strong, prevent dryness, and ward off age-related issues like cataracts and macular degeneration. Adding food items such as leafy greens (spinach, collards, kale, etc.), fish like tuna and salmon, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges to your regular diet can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy.
2. Invest in those sunglasses!
And you thought sunglasses were only about being fashionable! Well, think again. Investing in the right pair of sunglasses helps keep away sun’s harmful UV rays. Not only should your shades add to your fashion quotient, but they must also block 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays. This can definitely reduce your likelihood of developing eye ailments like cataract.
3. Reduce Glare & Use Gadgets Wisely
Working long hours on your computer, and turning to your iPad or TV at night – all add to the strain on your eyes. Continuous usage can easily lead to health issues ranging from tired and watery eyes to headaches, neck and shoulder aches. While you won’t stop working or using your favourite gadgets, you can definitely reduce the amount of glare your eyes deal with, by simply adjusting the brightness and contrast settings of all your devices – from computers to TV and tablet screens. Make sure they are neither too bright nor too dull; as both can tire your eyes and make you feel exhausted.
At work, adjust your computer’s text size to a comfortable level and make sure your work environment is always well-lit and your screens are squeaky clean. The distance between your eyes and your monitor is important too, and should be maintained between 20-24 inches. If your work entails heavy computer usage – don’t shy away from using special anti-glare glasses or lenses while working.
4.Take a Break
Just like you and I need our tea and coffee breaks from time to time – so do our eyes! So make sure you take regular breaks during the day, instead of being glued to your computer screen. Simply shutting your eyes for 5 minutes every couple of hours, or splashing them with fresh cold water twice or thrice during your work day can help liven them up! Whenever you are focusing on completing your office presentation, or simply surfing the internet – your eyes don’t blink as often as they should, leading to weary, puffy and dry eyes. Lubricating them with the right eye drops can help create a protective coating and generate artificial tears that keep them rejuvenated. And while we’re on the topic on breaks – remember, quitting your smoking habit also goes a long way in keeping your eyes fit!
5. regular Eye check-ups done
To know what your eyes are up to and how well they are keeping – regular eye check-ups are a must! They not only ensure that you are wearing the right prescription glasses or lenses, but also help detect various diseases like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease or cataracts before it’s too late. It’s best to go for dilated eye exams and increase the frequency of check-ups with age.
Clean hands, clean lenses and clean screens are the simplest mantra for a better eye health. And when nothing else is available, just shut your eyes and day-dream about vast blue oceans and lush green fields. Both you and your eyes will feel fresher and livelier after this short sweet escape away from the glare and grime of the real world!