The importance of our eyes in our lives cannot be stressed enough. To maintain our lifestyle’s quality, it is important that we protect them from harmful elements, like the sun, radiation, chemicals, and dirt,looking to ruin it.
Whether you’re working or having fun outdoors, here are simple – yet crucial – ways for you to protect your precious peepers:
EAT BETTER
As if we don’t hear the benefits of a well-balanced diet to our bodies enough, here’s one more reason to follow it. Countless studies show that eating more vegetables – and regular intake of drinks (Green Tea) rich in antioxidants – can reduce the risk of cataracts. This is paramount to those in their late 30s and older, but those younger can start early to benefit from this healthy eating habit.
CHECK YOUR FAMILY’S MEDICAL HISTORY
Does high-blood pressure and/or diabetes run in your family? If so, you should consult a doctor to have this treated as early as possible, because these two illnesses, when left untreated, can cause eye problems in the future.
READ IN A PLACE WITH GOOD LIGHTING
Whether you’re reading a book or on a Kindle, you must take note of the amount of light in your reading nook. Reading in a dark place forces your eyes to adjust to the darkness. When done for long periods of time, this can cause permanent damage to your eyes, like nearsightedness. As for digital books, the brightness of your device must also be adjusted accordingly.
KEEP A GOOD DISTANCE WHEN WORKING WITH COMPUTERS
In this digital age, using computers or other gadgets is unavoidable. However, the radiation caused by computer screens – even televisions – is damaging to your eyes. A couple of precautionary measures you can take are: first, keep a good distance from the monitor, about 16 to 30 inches. Second, if you need to wear them, anti-radiation glasses can help protect your eyes from the harsh glare given off by digital devices.
SHIELD YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN
I’m sure we all know by now that UVR or ultraviolet radiation is not our friend. There are three kinds of UVR: UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A, but researchers found that UV-B causes the most eye damage, contributing to cataract and/or eye cancer. The best way to ensure your peepers are protected from this is by investing in a good pair of polarized sunglasses. Wearing a hat also helps as an extra precautionary measure.
WEAR GOGGLES WHEN SWIMMING IN A POOL
When you swim in a pool, you can tell when too much chlorine is present as you can feel it in your eyes. This chemical, when used incorrectly, can cause temporary redness of the eyes. If subjected to this on a regular basis, permanent eyesight damage can ensue. To reduce this risk, wear goggles when taking a dip – or you can just close your eyes while doing laps, if you can.
DON’T RUB YOUR EYES
When you rub your eye unthinkingly, you risk tearing its cornea. Don’t even get me started on the eye infection you can get caused by dirty hands. If dirt gets in your eyes, wash it with water right away – you can submerge your face in a sink or pan filled with water while your eyes are open.
DON’T USED EXPIRED EYE MAKE UP
Like almost anything in this world, make up also has its end. For eye make-up like mascara and gel eye liner, you can have a good 3 months with them, and then you toss it out. Eye shadows and pencil eye liners, however, have a longer shelf life ranging from 12 months to 2 years, depending on how well you store them.
GET ENOUGH SHUT EYE
Aside from an uncanny glow and refreshed feeling, 7 to 9 hours of sleep can also help protect your eyes. If you’ve worked in front of a computer for 9 hours, your eyes will be exhausted. Just like regular blinking, sleep can help recover your damaged vision from the strain of overexertion throughout the day.
REGULAR CHECK UP
Just like a regular annual physical exam, you must also have your eyes checked at least every year (6 months when working with computers regularly). This can help you keep track of the changes in your eyesight and have issues solved as soon as you’ve identified them.
Eyes are the windows to the soul. And because none of us want dirty, blurry, or even broken “windows”, we must take the necessary steps to protect our invaluable eyes.