Protecting your eyes is the best way to preserve your long-term vision. And it can be as simple as putting on an elegant pair of sunglasses.
Less time in front of the screen
Smartphones, laptops, and other devices are an integral part of our life. Although they help us both work, distracting us and shopping and maintaining links with our loved ones, they are a threat to our vision.
Fixing the screen for long periods can cause "computer vision syndrome", which results in eye fatigue, blurred vision, headache, and dry eyes. "Take frequent breaks during the day by following the 20-20-20 rule," recommends Morgan Statt, who takes care of health and safety at Consumersafty.org in New York. "Every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds to something else that is at least 20 feet (6 meters) from distance" to give your eyes a break in using your close vision.
Log the air conditioning from your eyes
"Directing your air conditioner directly on your face will relieve you during a hot summer day, but it can also wreak havoc on your eyes," warns Morgan Statt. Dry air evacuates the natural humidity of the surface of the eye. To protect your sight, she says, direct the ventilation mouths away from your face.
Look for shadow
"Choose sunglasses that protect from 100% the Ultraviolet A and B rays of the sun, which can cause all kinds of damage and eye problems," says Vincent Hau, a Californian ophthalmologist. Your sunglasses don't have to cost a fortune either. "Paying more expensive does not necessarily mean better protection," he observes. You can get sunglasses in a pharmacy whose protection is as good, even better than brand sunglasses. ”
Wear them even in cloudy weather
One of the current myths about sunglasses is that you don't need to wear them if it is not sunny. "Even in cloudy weather, ultraviolet rays continue to pass and can damage your eyes," says Dr. Hau. Think of your sunglasses in the same way as you think of your sunscreen, and never go out without protection.
Put on views of the view regularly, even if you do not wear glasses
Wondering how to improve your sight? "Visit your ophthalmologist once a year for an examination of the bottom of the eye," advises Matthew Alpert, an optometrist from Los Angeles. This examination (with or without dilation of the pupil) allows the doctor to examine the bottom of the eyes to detect any sign of deterioration or illness. “Complete sight exams are not limited to the eyes. They can also help detect chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, "added the optometrist.
Never sleep with your lenses
As tempting as it may seem after a difficult day, Inna Ozerov, an ophthalmologist who exercises in Florida, insists on the danger of sleeping with your contact glasses - even when the manufacturer says that you can do it. "The surface of the corneal lenses can allow microorganisms to adhere to your eye, which increases the risk of infection," she said.
By removing your lenses before bedtime, you also increase contact with your eyes with oxygen, which decreases the risk of infection.
Stop smoking
In addition to all the health problems associated with smoking, "tobacco is extremely toxic to retina cells, a thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye, and it considerably increases the risk of developing a degeneration macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness, ”warns the Ozerov Dre. Macular degeneration occurs when the central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates.
Drink a lot of water before flying
Dehydration aggravates the symptoms of eye dryness, so if you take the plane, drink a lot of water before and during a flight to protect your eyes, explains Dr. Alpert. "There is nothing wrong with taking an alcoholic or caffeinated drink, but you will need to drink more water to compensate for the loss of liquid," he adds. In addition, air conditioning in planes tends to blow dry air directly in your eyes, so close the vents before takeoff.
Keep your distance
"Find a comfortable working distance from your screen," insists Dr. Alpert. This is particularly important for children because the intensity of light increases exponentially as we approach our eyes with light sources. " The blue light emitted by our digital devices can increase our risk of developing macular degeneration and can also cause eye fatigue. Investing in a blue light filter can also help you protect your vision.
Reduce the brightness
"Reduce the brightness level of the screens of your electronic devices to reduce exposure to blue light, especially in the evening," said Dr. Alpert. This will reduce the risk of eye fatigue and other problems associated with exposure to blue light.
Remove yourself before going to bed
The mascara, the line, and the eyeshadow can really embellish your eyes, but they can also obstruct the tiny sebaceous glands located at the base of your eyelashes. "It can irritate their eyes, make them blush and tear them, and make the wearing of corneal lenses uncomfortable," warns Monica Nguyen, an optometrist in New York and New Jersey. Remove your makeup at the end of the day before washing your face, because sleeping with these eye impurities has an increased risk of accumulation of bacteria and infection, "she said.
Then gently pass a damp cotton swab along the upper and lower edges of the eyelids to remove any makeup residue and help open these glands.
Do not share eye makeup
You can also protect your eyes by not sharing your eye makeup with your friends. Never do this because bacteria can easily go from a mascara or a line to your eye.
You should also clean your brushes regularly and invest in new eye makeup every three months, says Dr Nguyen. And always get rid of all your eye makeup after an eye infection.
Maintain your contact glasses
"Follow simple hygiene, such as hand washing and the appropriate cleaning of corneal lenses with a solution intended for this use," says Dr Nguyen. It is important to remove bidimensional and monthly contact lenses at the end of the day, clean them in the palm of your hand, and let them sit in a solution all night. "
It is also important to clean them with the solution before putting them back in the morning. "Single-use contact lenses are excellent because you can throw them every day and take a new pair the next day."
Wear swimming glasses at the pool
It is not enough to close your eyes when you swim underwater to protect them. Chemicals that disinfect pools (physiological chlorine and serum) can damage your eyes, causing tingling, burns, drought, and/or redness. David Evans, managing director of Better Vision Guide, recommends wearing swimming glasses. These same chemicals can also cause irritation and infections of corneal lenses. "If you accidentally wear contact lenses during swimming, remove them and rinse your eyes and lenses immediately after swimming," says David Evans.
Put protective glasses when you play sports
It may not be sexy, but protecting your eyes can save your sight. "Many eye injuries can occur at home or during recreational or sports activities," said DRE Nguyen. Do not take a risk and wear protective glasses, she says. "In the event of an eye injury, even if it seems minor, immediately consult an optometrist or your ophthalmologist to receive an appropriate treatment and prevent a loss of vision and/or blindness."
Apply sunscreen around your eyes
Research from the University of Liverpool reveals that we tend to neglect about 10% of our face when we apply sunscreen, especially on and around the eyelids. This is particularly worrying, because we know that around 10% of skin cancers occur in this thin and sensitive area.
"Apply a sunscreen with an FPS of 30 or more to the entire exposed skin, especially on the face," recommends Michele Green, a dermatologist at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Eat fish
Omega-3 fatty acids present in salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish help prevent dryer drought and keep the retina health, says Justin Bazan, medical advisor to the Council Vision. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (especially fatty fish) at least twice a week (two portions).
Consume these foods to preserve your eyes from aging.
Sleep enough
Lack of sleep can contribute to the redness of the eyes, says David Evans. Create an environment conducive to rest by keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and reserving it only for sleep and love antics. If you are constantly having difficulty sleeping well at night and you always wake up, tell your doctor about what can cause your lack of sleep.
Adopt these tips to sleep better at night.
Order a spinach omelet for brunch
Lutein and zeaxanthine found in spinach, corn, broccoli, and eggs can help protect your eyes from diseases. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), these nutrients are deposited in large quantities in the retina of the eye.
Although it is always preferable to obtain nutrients from whole foods, recent studies show that taking 10 mg per day of a lutein supplement and 2 mg per day of a zeaxanthin supplement has advantages for health.
Exercise
Regular physical activity can improve your general state of health and be beneficial for your eyes. A Swedish study even demonstrated that physical exercise could reduce the risk of cataracts, a crystalline disorder that affects vision.
But that's not all. "Exercise avoids certain diseases and affections that affect vision, such as diabetes and high blood pressure," added Dr. Hau. Here's how to improve your view: Give yourself the goal of being 30 minutes a day of aerobic activity almost every day of the week and always talk to your doctor before making changes to your training sessions.
Do you like Bugs Bunny?
Bugs Bunny was right: eating carrots is good for the eyes. "Carrots are one of the many vegetables rich in vitamin A, which is very good for the health of our eyes," said Dr. Hau. Make sure to integrate carrots or other vegetables rich in vitamin A into your diet, such as peppers or squash. "Make them alternate as one of your five daily vegetables, sometimes a week," he adds.
Do not try cosmetic surgery at low prices
A study highlighted a rare, but scary risk of the use of filling products to reduce wrinkles. Blindness. It exhibits the case of nine women in South Korea who have become blind after taking injections. Some areas around the front have risks. "Choosing an injection expert who knows the facial anatomy well as well as all the filling products available and their uses will considerably reduce the already low risk of this fairly terrifying complication," says Mark H. Schwartz, a visual art surgeon in York.
Don't look at the sun
Your mother was right! Attacking the sun, especially during a solar eclipse, can cause blindness. "The sun's rays are very strong and can burn or leave scars on the retina," says Dr. Hau. Never fix the sun directly ”.
Do not exaggerate with the vision
"Medicines like the vision help reduce the redness of the eyes by tightening blood vessels, but they end up getting used to it," said Dr. Lisa Park, an aggregated professor in ophthalmology at Columbia University in New York. If you abuse it, your blood vessels will grow and you will need more and more visors. It's a vicious circle. Rather try artificial tears to soothe your eyes. ”
Protect yourself from allergens
"If your eyes itch, it may be an allergy," said Dre Park. Wash your hands before touching your eyes to avoid contaminating them with allergens like pollen. ” See with an allergist what is behind your symptoms and what treatments can help relieve them.
Avoid smoky places
"Smoke and other vapors can irritate your eyes," says Dr. Park. Avoid smoky parts as much as possible or make sure you ventilate them before spending a while. "
Choose perfume-free cleaning products when possible to reduce the risk of eye irritation caused by vapors.
Choose your places well at the cinema
"If you sit too close or too far from the screen, you may have stunning or a headache," says Dr. Everyone's view is different, so choose your seats accordingly.
Blink
When you blink your eyes, your upper eyelid spreads lacrimal liquid on the front of the eye to keep it moist. "If you do not clig enough, your cornea can dry out and irritate," says Dre Park.
Every 20 minutes, look at a distance of 20 feet (approximately 5-6 m) for 20 seconds and blink.
Take more vitamin D
According to researchers from the University of Buffalo, people who lack vitamin D run approximately 44% more risk of developing macular degeneration linked to aging (DMLA). Vitamin D is said to be sun vitamin because our body manufactures it when it is exposed to its rays. Certain foods such as enriched dairy products, the liver, and eggs are rich in vitamin D. Chat with your doctor about your blood rate of vitamin D to see if you need it.
Get out
The more time you spend, the more likely you are to develop myopia. This is true: children who are often outside and who play sports are less likely to be myopic, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. "The exposure to fresh air and natural light as long as spending more time looking at distant objects than setting a screen may explain this link," said David Evans.
Never share contact glasses
"You will not see well and it will tire your eyes," says Dr. It is not a common practice, but it sometimes happens that young people exchange recreational lenses that change the color of their eyes, especially when approaching Halloween.
Find out about the eye health of your family
According to the National Eye Institute American, knowing the history of eye health of your family will allow you to better understand your own risk of transmission of certain eye diseases. Talk about it today.
Watch your waist
Lose weight if you are overweight because bringing too many pounds increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic diseases, which can cause vision loss, such as diabetic eye diseases or Glaucoma, explains David Evans.
Avoid marijuana
Smoking Marijuana regularly can damage your vision, according to the preliminary results of a French study. Participants, who consumed marijuana at least seven times a week, showed a slight delay in the reaction of retinal lymph node cells (CGR), located on the surface of the retina. These cells receive visual information, and any delay could suggest visual impairment.
Stay Zen
Practicing yoga - or any other daily stress reduction technique - can do more than help you stay calm, rested, and concentrated. It can also save your vision. "We know that stress can put our eyes to the test, and prevent us from making healthy choices that will do good to our vision. Like a healthy diet and regular physical activities, "said David Evans.
Suppress your sweet tooth
Eating too much sugar can make you fat, cause diabetes, and even speed up aging. Research suggests that sugar can make eyes more vulnerable to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a maximum of approximately 30 g (6 tsp) of sugar added per day for women and nine for men. Good to know: a 350 ml soda can (12 oz) contains about 10 g of added sugar.
Don't forget the lenses in your eyes
Remember to remove your lenses before placing new ones. It seems obvious, but unfortunately, not everyone does. Doctors have recently withdrawn 27 corneal lenses from the eyes of a woman who had been wearing disposable lenses for 35 years. The news was published in the British Medical Journal.
Learn to recognize the signs of a detailed retina
The detachment of the retina is a medical emergency. If you note the sudden or gradual appearance of floating bodies (spots that move before your eyes), flashes, or an obscuring veil in the field of vision, you must see a doctor as soon as possible, warns the National Eye Institute.
Don't rub your eyes
Rating your eyes can provide instant satisfaction with irritated and itching eyes, but it can also worsen the situation. This can increase the risk of infection by propagating more which irritates the eyes. Consult an allergist or an ophthalmologist to stop itching safely.