William Blake described eyes as “windows of the soul”., connecting us to the outer world. We also use them to express our feelings in a way that is often more powerful than spoken words. We can sum up eye care under following headings-
A.Tonics for the Eye
Vit A essential for healthy eyes and normal eyesight. Anti oxidants (lutein, zeaxanthin, omega 3 FA) together with Zinc help to reduce the risk of developing ARMD.
Surplus amounts present in carrots, green leafy vegetables, yellow and dark coloured fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts etc .
B. Protection of Eyes
UV-A and UV-B rays cause eye disorders like cataract, pterygium etc.So, protect them with wide brimmed hat and UV rays blocking sun glasses. Wear safety glasses/ goggles at work, while welding or operating heavy machinery Wear protective eye wear during sports like basketball, tennis, hockey etc to prevent injury to eye.
Avoid children playing with sharp and pointed objects, holicolours, crackers etc. In an AC room, use a humidifier, to keep humidity between 30-50% and also use lubricants , to relieve dry and itchy eyes.
Warning symptoms/ signs in the eyes that should not be ignored –
· Sudden/ progressive blurring or loss of vision
· Distortion of image
· Floaters or flashes of light
· Pain in the eyes
· Redness or discharge from the eye
Incase of any chemical injury, wash the eye with copious amout of water for 10-15 min and show to an eye specialist.
In case of physical trauma to the eye, avoid nose blowing. Cover the eye with a plastic shield or glass and rush to the hospital.
Regular Screening
Above 40 years, regular eye check up annually is a must to detect any disease at its earliest and prevent its progression before any permanent damage occurs.
Common eye diseases at this age are cataract, glaucoma, ARMD etc.. If suffering from systemic diseases like DM, BP etc, regular eye check up should be done.All children should undergo an eye screening test at around 3-5 years of age to detect any refractive error, deviation of eyes, lazy eye etc. Children already wearing glasses should follow up 6 monthly.
Eye care for Computer Users
20-20-20 Rule (after 20-30 min, look 20 feet away for 20 sec Anti glare filter on the computer screen to cut down the misdirected light or use anti glare glasses. Position your monitor about one arms’s length and below your eye level, so that you do not strain your neck.Keep blinking in between. Use artificial tears to keep your eyes lubricated.
E. Exercises for Eyes
Eye exercises keep them healthy and strain free.
· Strengthening Exercises – focusing near and far. Eye rotation clockwise/anticlockwise
· Relaxation Exercises –Rub your palms together for about 15-20 sec. When they feel warm, cup them over your closed eyes and let your vision relax in total darkness for few min.
· Good Vision Habits- Quit smoking and control weight as they are linked to eye diseases like glaucoma, cataract, ARMD et al. If a foreign body gets into your eyes, don’t rub it. Flush it out with water. If not relieved, consult an eye specialist.For any problem in the eye, self medication or medication on the advice of a chemist should be avoided.
If you are allergic to any medicine, discontinue it. If you use contact lens, follow instructions to use them properly.
By DR. SAMIR SUD,Founder Director of Sharp Sight Group of Hospitals