This morning, you opened your eyes and registered that it was bright – the sun had come out – All thanks to the complex optical system namely, your eyes.
Your eyes collected light from the surrounding environment and focused it through an adjustable assembly of lenses to form an image, followed by the conversion of that image into a set of electrical signals which were then transmitted to your brain – that helped you determine that the day had begun and brought you out of your bed this morning.
Despite being the key component to our basic functioning, the amount of constant work our eyes do for us all through the day often goes unacknowledged.
So, take a minute to let it sink in – Everything you see and understand, every person you recognise, every picture you construct in your mind – first and foremost passes through your eyes. On having that realisation, you will automatically ask yourself, “What can I do to keep my eyes healthy?”
Well, we are here with the answer :
1. ADEQUATE SLEEP : When it comes to eye health, sleep is your best friend. Sleeping replenishes the whole body, and eyes are no different. Blurry vision, twitching, dryness, itchiness, or bloodshot appearance is an obvious occurrence in your eyes when going through a lack of sleep. Therefore, you must get adequate sleep for healthy eyes.
2. HYDRATION : Tears are the holy grail that keep your eyes lubricated and flush out dust and other foreign particles. So, drink enough water to keep your body hydrated enough to produce a healthy amount of tears – simple as that. An average adult should consume 2.5-3.5 litres of water per day. This consumption is essential for various bodily functions, including those of the eyes.
You may also opt for lubricating eye drops as an extra step to eye care.
3. A GOOD DIET : A good diet is the straight route to a healthy body, be it any part of it. Always focus on getting all essential nutrients through consuming a balanced diet. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (found in flaxseeds, chia seeds, soyabean oil, walnuts), lutein (green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, peas etc.), zinc (almonds, cashews, chickpeas, whole grains), and vitamins C and E are mainly essential for your eyes.
4. CLEANSING : Our eyes are naturally capable of self-cleansing through tears every time we blink.
But if you are someone who wears eye makeup, make sure you remove it gently yet thoroughly and rinse your eyes with warm (not hot) water afterwards.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you wash your hands properly before putting them on or taking them off. Also, make sure the lenses are within expiry limit, are kept in hygienic condition and have been properly soaked in solution.
Plus, we hope you don’t need reminding to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them with unclean or unwashed hands.
5. MASSAGING : Lightly massaging around your eyes (paying special attention to pressure points such as cheekbones, temples, eye socket bones, nose bridge, back of the head) can increase circulation and relieve muscle stress.
Almond oil with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is great for hydrating your undereye.
Products with 0.2–0.4% hyaluronic acid concentration have proven to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve eye health.
You can also use retinol starting from your late 20s, a vitamin A derivative which stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein which acts like the glue which holds your skin together. A healthy amount of collagen improves skin elasticity – that means bye-bye wrinkles and fine lines!
6. SUN AND BLUELIGHT PROTECTION : UV radiation from the sun can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens. This leads to an increase in the risk of cataracts and eye cancers, as well as various other temporary or permanent eye conditions.
So, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection whenever you step out in the sun. You can also opt for wrap-around sunglasses so that there is zero exposure even from the sides of the glasses.
Blue light is emitted in significantly by electronic devices. Continuous exposure may disrupt sleep, circadian rhythm, and other adverse health effects. You can wear glasses that offer blue light protection or use a blue light filter to protect your eyes from overexposure.
7. 20-20-20 RULE : If you are someone who finds themselves in front of the screen constantly, the 20-20-20 rule is a must for you. What you need to do is that for every 20 minutes spent using a screen, you should try to look away at something that is 20 feet away from you for a total of 20 seconds. This will give your eyes time to relax.
DISCLAIMER
The priority, in this blog, is to supply the reader with clear and unambiguous information. However, neither The New Me nor Gagan Dhawan makes promises, or guarantees regarding the completeness of the information found here. The content is not a replacement for advice of a licensed professional. The opinions expressed in this blog are solely that of the writer’s.
