Important Tips for Eye Health

Our eyes are the most important sensory organ that enables us to learn, understand and communicate with our environment. Even temporary lack of vision caused by lack of light during power outages, at the end of the film in the cinema, can cause us to feel uncomfortable. We asked the ophthalmologists at Kudret Eye İstanbul for tips on the ways to protect the health of our eyes, our window to the world.

Have Regular Eye Examination

Our ophthalmologists: "Although everyone agrees on the importance of vision, the number of people who have regular examinations is also very few. However, regular eye examination is very important for our general health as well as protecting our eye health. We can make the first diagnosis of many diseases that threaten the general health of the person such as diabetes and hypertension during the eye examination and direct them to appropriate treatment. There is a misconception that eye diseases pose a risk only for older people. It is true that the incidence of eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration increases with age. Presbyopia, the loss of near vision due to the loss of the natural flexibility of the lens of the eye, also occurs over the age of 40 due to aging. However, various eye diseases can be seen in people of all age groups, whether they are infants, elderly, young or middle-aged. For example, diseases such as cataract, retinopathy and eye pressure can be seen even in infants. Visual disorders such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are among the most common eye diseases in all age groups including infants and children. Regular eye examinations are required to prevent eye pressure and all kinds of eye diseases that progress without causing any complaints and lead to unexpected vision loss."

Inform Your Doctor Correctly

Our ophthalmologists: "During the eye examination, it is important to give accurate and clear information to your doctor about your disease history, medications you use if you have existing diseases, diseases in your family members, your lifestyle and habits. Hereditary factors have a great effect on the formation of many diseases. It is important to have information about your genetic risk factors by investigating the diseases in your family members both for the treatment of existing diseases and for the prevention of possible diseases. Informing your doctor about your daily life activities, the way you spend your leisure time and your habits makes it easier for him/her to make appropriate recommendations for you."

Pay attention to the ventilation of your home and office

Our ophthalmologists: "Air conditioners and various heaters used in closed areas such as homes and offices can cause dry eyes by reducing the humidity of the air. You can increase the humidity rate in the air with methods such as water containers hung on radiators, wet towels, water containers placed in a suitable corner of the room, humidifier devices. Dry eyes may cause complaints such as stinging, burning, redness, itching, tearing, sticky discharge, difficulty in using contact lenses. If you have any complaints, consult a specialised ophthalmologist without neglecting."

Cleanliness is the Head of Everything

Our ophthalmologists: "Pay attention to some points to avoid inviting germs and eye infections while applying make-up. Do not share your materials with others, do not buy products without a product protection band, do not use expired products. Various preservatives or active ingredients contained in some products may cause allergic reactions. Especially people with allergic constitution should be careful. Show the care you show while applying make-up while removing your make-up. Do not sleep without removing your make-up. Pay attention to the cleanliness of your make-up materials, cleansers and the towel you use. Pain, redness, itching, stinging, swelling, watery eyes may be a sign of infection or inflammation of the eyelash base. Consult your ophthalmologist when you have these and similar symptoms."

Do Not Sacrifice Your Eyes to Technology

Our ophthalmologists: "If you work at a computer all day in a closed environment, you are at risk of dry eye. Less blinking movement during prolonged work by focusing on the screen causes the tears not to spread to the eye surface sufficiently and causes more evaporation. It will be useful to rest your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes by closing your eyes at certain intervals. Looking at the screen too close or too far causes eye fatigue. Make sure that there is a distance of 60 cm between you and the computer screen, that the top edge of the screen and the eye level are at the same level, and that the light does not come at right angles to the screen. Looking 5 - 6 metres away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes is also a good method of resting the eyes. One of the causes of dry eyes is dehydration of the body. Do not neglect to drink at least 2 litres of water a day."

Pay Attention to Your Nutrition Habits

Our ophthalmologists: "Nutrition is of great importance in the protection of eye health and auxiliary treatment. Make your meals in line with your doctor's recommendations and opinions. Especially patients with macular degeneration or those with a family history of macular degeneration should consume plenty of foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, selenium and omega 3. Studies show that, in intermediate dry macular degeneration, high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by a doctor (AREDS) slow its progression; these doses are hard to reach through diet alone, and no such benefit has been shown in the early stage. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in egg yolk, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, kale, orange, avocado, kiwi, corn and carrot. Fish is important in protecting eye health as it contains both omega 3 and selenium. Vitamins are also very important for eye health. Long-term vitamin C deficiency is known to increase the risk of cataracts."

Do not be fooled by the sun's smile

Our ophthalmologists: "Long-term exposure to UV rays is one of the factors that cause cataract, macular degeneration and pterygium. Use sunglasses with UV filters both in summer and winter. Do not be misled by hazy, overcast weather; the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun continue to have an effect in winter. Especially skiers and those who work outdoors in the snow should pay attention to the use of goggles. The rays reflected from the snow can cause damage by causing burns on the cornea."

Quit Smoking

Our ophthalmologists: "Nicotine and other toxic substances in cigarettes disrupt the structure and blood flow of all blood vessels in our body, including the vessels in and around our eyes. As in many diseases, it also has negative effects on the eye."