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| See Better, Longer |
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Vision is one of our most important senses. As we get older, our eye function can deteriorate, not only affecting our ability to see, but also to perform everyday activities such as driving or reading. Some eye problems are cumulative, so if you start taking care of your eyes today, you can ensure that you’ll be seeing clearly in the future.
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Sunglasses are not just for looking cool
Like our skin, our eyes are sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and overexposure can lead to burned corneas and early cataracts. Even on cloudy days and during the winter you should wear sunglasses when exposed to UV rays. Good quality glasses have lenses that match in color, block out at least 99% of UV-A and UV-B rays, and are free of defects. Wrap-around styles will provide the best protection, and gray lenses reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects.
Eat for good eyesight
When your mother told you carrots would help you see better, she wasn’t just trying to get you to eat more vegetables! Research has shown that antioxidants reduce the risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma and even blindness. Add more of these to your diet: Vitamin A: Helps your eyes adjust to light changes and keeps eyes moist. Good sources are carrots, sweet potatoes and mango. Vitamin C: Good sources are sweet peppers, oranges, strawberries and broccoli. Vitamin E: Good sources are sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts. Carotenoids: Plant pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors and are converted to antioxidants in the body. Good sources include carrots, spinach, broccoli, peas. Essential fatty acids: Help alleviate dry eyes. Flaxseed, sunflower seeds and walnuts. Carbohydrates: Avoid ‘bad’ carbohydrates which studies have shown to contribute to macular degeneration.
Give your eyes a break
If you spend a lot of time focusing on one place, like a computer screen or a book, your eyes can become fatigued. Let them rest and reduce eye strain with this easy practice: every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Shutting them for a few minutes can also relieve strain. Exercise your eyes
Exercising your eyes a few times a day is like doing eye yoga! It strengthens and relaxes them, helping them work better. Roll them around, then up and down, then left to right a few times each. Keep eyes flexible and strengthen your ability to focus by holding your index finger a little more than hand’s width away from your nose and looking first at your fingertip, then at something across the room at a distance. Repeat this up to 10 times.
Herbs to help vision
Many herbs have been shown to help eye health. Bilberry and Rooibos may prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Bilberry can also improve night vision. Ginkgo biloba may improve retinal deterioration, while passionflower soothes eye strain. Related articles:
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