The Dos And Don’ts Of The Eyes
The eye is a sensory organ of the human body which helps to transmit images to the brain. It is delicate and its function in the human body cannot be overemphasized as without it the brain cannot get visual images or information.
Imagine the human body lacked this unique ability to see with the eyes, the beauty of nature is totally lost to it.
The eye is a delicate and complex organ that is not limited to just the external or outer part which we can see; its different parts work together to send virtual messages to the brain, take in light and help you see colours in different shades.
The eye is made up of a cornea, iris, pupil, sclera, conjunctiva, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, and muscles.
To prevent your sight from deteriorating and avoid eye defects and diseases, you must do and not do certain things.
Always put in mind that the state of your health is what you take into your body (food, liquid, and air) and your lifestyle.
Below are certain habits or things you must do to keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of eye diseases and infections.
Generally, being overweight or obese or gaining excessive weight is quite disadvantageous to your body. Remember, too much of everything is bad for your health, so being overweight makes you prone to eye defects and diseases like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, etc.
Exercise, therefore, keeps you fit and healthy. You burn out the calories that will certainly cause harm to your total well-being. Exercise also helps to reduce your risk of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure which causes eye problems.
Eat a healthy and adequate diet
Whatever you take into your body really matters as it will affect your total well-being positively or negatively. A healthy and balanced meal will take you far away from a doctor’s doorstep.
Also, your healthy diet should be made up of foods and nutrients that are eye-friendly such as fruits (oranges, strawberries) and vegetables (red pepper, carrots, broccoli), seafood (oysters, salmon, sardines, herring), whole grains, nuts(walnuts), cereals, dairy products (milk, yogurt) and poultry products(eggs).
Most of these foods contain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, Omega-3, fatty acids, Antioxidants, Zinc, etc. which are healthy for the eyes.
Continuous intake of water helps to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can cause eye strain, blurred vision, or even double vision. Drinking plenty of water will help lubricate your eyes.
Know your family’s medical health risks
This helps to know what eye diseases, any of you should look out for. Early signs and symptoms will easily be noticed and addressed when you have knowledge of the eye issues prone to those in your family.
Regular Medical Examination/Checkup for your eyes
This helps to keep you a step ahead of eye infections and diseases as early detection of any infection or defect can help save you bad eyesight.
Practice regular hand-washing habits
You wouldn’t want to get an eye infection because of the contact of dirty hands with your eyes. Washing your hands regularly will help prevent such.
Wear eye protective gear such as sunglasses to avoid exposure to the sun.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands as this can get the eyes infected.
- Avoid self-medication. When in pain or have issues with your eyes see a doctor. Do not use eye drops without a doctor’s direction as this could cause more harm than good.
- Avoid direct exposure to sun rays/light.
- Exposure to the sun can damage your retina. Wear eyes to protect gears to prevent direct contact.
- Do not use poor light or dim light to work or read.
- The use of poor lighting will make you strain your eyes. As much as you can make use of good lights to read and work.
- Do not stare too long at your computer monitor or phone screen.
- When using these gadgets ensure you give your eyes a rest to avoid straining them. Do not bring them too close to your eyes. If you use the computer often, you still can avoid putting your eyes in danger. This you can do by practicing the 20-20-20 rule; for every 20 minutes look away from your computer monitor 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.
- For ladies, do not use a tube of mascara for more than 3 months. This is to prevent your eyes from getting infected because of the accumulation of dirt and bacteria in the wand of your mascara.
- Smoking causes eye-related diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Smoking also destroys your optic nerve. You wouldn’t want to avoid smoking at all costs.
- Do not use contact lenses while sleeping or swimming. Take them off when you are about to sleep or swimming.
- Your eyes will serve you better if you treat them better. Although complex, its delicate nature requires tenderness and much care. It is your eyes, your light care for it.
The Dos And Don’ts Of The Eyes