Eye Hygiene: What to Pay Attention To

Eye hygiene and eye health are among the subjects most people today do not dwell on and neglect. Problems such as unclear vision at distance and near, watering of the eyes and blurred vision all follow. People who frequently use technological products such as computers and phones need to pay close attention to eye hygiene and health. People working in an office environment in particular are advised to have regular eye examinations because of their working conditions. Office workers can experience dry eye and eye strain from long periods in front of a screen. In office workers the main reason is long screen use, which reduces blinking; other major causes of dry eye are age, hormonal changes, certain medicines and problems with the oil glands of the eyelids. There are many details to observe for the sake of eye health. Where they are observed, the eyes are protected and existing eye health is maintained. What should be done for eye health is as follows:

• Regular check-ups with a doctor should be attended.
• The eyes should be protected from sunlight whether in summer or in winter.
• The eye should not be touched when the hands are dirty, and the hands should be washed frequently through the day.
• If contact lenses are worn during the day, the lens solution should be changed at the recommended intervals and care taken over cleanliness.
• Smoking contains substances that harm eye health, so tobacco should not be used for the sake of both eye and general health.
• The use of technological devices such as mobile phones, computers and televisions also matters a great deal for eye health. The distance between the screen and the eye should be set correctly. Where long periods of screen use are necessary, the eyes should be drawn away from the screen and rested at intervals.

What to Observe in Protecting Eye Health

Protecting eye health matters a great deal if a person is not to meet sight loss or vision problems. Alongside the precautions a person can take, frequent check-ups with a doctor are needed. Through the investigations and tests specialists carry out, precautions are taken where any condition is present. It therefore becomes possible to act before serious eye problems are met. Alongside check-ups, a regular and healthy diet is necessary for both eye and general health. It is possible to protect eye health through the food we eat. The necessary vitamins should be taken by eating foods that are good for the eyes in particular. Vitamins help keep the tissues of the eye healthy, which may lower the risk of some problems.

Foods to Eat for Eye Health

The foods to eat for eye health support eye health as part of a balanced diet. The reason is that the vitamins and antioxidants they contain help keep the tissues of the eye healthy and may lower the risk of some conditions. The foods to eat for eye health and to reduce the risk of disease are:

• Carrots
• Fresh carrot juice you make yourself
• Oranges and orange juice
• Melon
• Fish
• Spinach
• Cabbage

Vitamins That Are Good for Eye Health

Thanks to the vitamins within the many fruits, vegetables and other products noted above, it is possible to have a strong and healthy eye structure. A balanced diet supports eye health; talk to your doctor about vitamin supplements and their dose. In intermediate-stage macular degeneration, certain combinations of vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of the disease progressing. Alongside the vegetables and fruit eaten, attending regular check-ups with a doctor matters a great deal, so that where any risk arises specialists can intervene before the problem grows. The vitamins that are good for eye health are:

• Vitamin A: vitamin A is necessary for night vision, and a deficiency can cause night blindness. It is needed for the retina to work healthily.
• Vitamin B12: vitamin B12 matters for nerve health; a deficiency can affect the optic nerve.
• Vitamin E: vitamin E matters a great deal for the health of the retina. Through its antioxidant effect, it may help protect the retina.
• Vitamin C: vitamin C is a strong antioxidant and supports the health of the eye's tissues; the basis of protection against diabetic retinopathy, however, is keeping blood sugar under control.

Which Eye Conditions Are Dangerous?

Dangerous eye conditions arise in some cases genetically and in others where a person neglects their eye health. Where the factor is genetic, problems such as squint, colour blindness and lazy eye generally appear. Myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia are also among the conditions that can arise genetically. Their treatment generally ends successfully. Whatever the reason a condition has formed, regular check-ups must always be carried out so that it does not advance and reach a dangerous level. Where check-ups are not attended, conditions can reach a level at which they cannot be treated and leave permanent damage. Even where there is no condition, people should therefore always attend regular check-ups. Through them, even where a condition is identified, treatment can begin quickly following an early diagnosis. Dangerous eye conditions, and the people who should always attend regular check-ups, are:

• People with raised eye pressure
• Patients with diabetes
• Patients with glaucoma
• Redness of the eyes linked to uveitis
• People with blockage in the arteries and veins of the eye
• Those who frequently have eye infections
• Those who have had trauma to the eye
• Those with cataract
• Damage to the macula
• Retinal detachment
• Painless sight loss