Don’t ignore your eye health
Take a minute right now and concentrate on your blinking – did you know that on average, a person blinks around 15 to 20 times per minute? Interestingly, this rate can increase when we are concentrating or decrease when we are tired or using digital screens for extended periods.
We use our eyes almost every waking minute yet often neglect these pretty important peepers. Our eyes can be damaged by a variety of factors, ranging from physical trauma to long-term exposure to harmful substances.
Eye damage culprits include:
Physical trauma: Blows to the eye or head, foreign objects entering the eye or accidents involving sharp objects can cause injuries such as corneal abrasions, retinal detachment or even damage to the eye socket.
UV radiation: Extended exposure to UV radiation from the sun, without protection, can cause conditions such as corneal sunburn (photokeratitis), cataracts and may even lead to eye cancer.
Chemical exposure: Contact with certain chemicals, such as household cleaning products, industrial chemicals or even some cosmetics, could cause severe damage to the eyes, leading to chemical burns, corneal ulcers or permanent vision loss.
Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can affect various parts of the eye, including the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis or "pink eye"), cornea (keratitis), or inner structures (endophthalmitis), potentially causing inflammation, scarring or vision impairment.
Age-related conditions: As we age, the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy[JP1] increases. These conditions can progressively damage the eyes and lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Genetic factors: Some people inherit genetic conditions that predispose them to eye diseases or abnormalities, such as retinitis pigmentosa, albinism or congenital cataracts.
Poor eye care habits: Constantly rubbing your eyes, sleeping without removing contact lenses, not following proper hygiene when handling contact lenses or neglecting regular eye exams can increase the risk of eye infections, corneal abrasions and other complications.
Chronic conditions: Diseases like diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders and certain neurological conditions may impact eye health and increase the risk of eye problems.
So, what can EYE do?
Taking better care of your eyes starts with looking at your lifestyle habits. Bad habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption and prolonged screen time without breaks can contribute to eye strain, dry eyes and other issues that may affect eye health in the long term.
The good news is that our eyes are relatively self-cleaning. Tears aren’t just about emotional responses; tears also contain enzymes that can kill bacteria, helping to keep our eyes clean and free from infection. (Finally! An upside to crying :-))
Also, eyes can heal quickly. The cornea is one of the fastest-healing tissues in the human body. Minor injuries to the cornea can often heal within a day or two.
Still, you need to practise good eye hygiene habits for healthy eyes.
- Schedule eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once every two years, or more frequently if you have existing eye conditions or risk factors.
- Always wear protective eye gear when doing DIY projects or working with hazardous materials.
- Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye conditions.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule when using digital devices: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. This helps reduce eye strain and fatigue.
- Fruit, veggies and Omega-3 fatty acids support overall eye health. Foods high in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, zinc and lutein can all help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your eyes well-hydrated and prevent dryness and irritation.
- If you wear contact lenses, follow your optometrist’s instructions for proper cleaning and disinfection to reduce the risk of eye infections and irritation. Avoid sleeping or swimming with contact lenses in your eyes.
- Smoking increases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye diseases. If you smoke, quitting can significantly benefit your eye health.
- Ensure you get enough sleep each night to allow your eyes to rest and rejuvenate. Lack of sleep can contribute to eye strain, dry eyes and other eye-related issues.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses, to prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of eye infections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.