The Significance of Vision: Why Caring for Your Eyes Matters!

When you’re looking at the world around you, you use your eyes to perceive color, depth perception, movement, contrast, and brightness. You might even see auras, objects out of focus, and flashes of light. All those things happen without your conscious awareness, and they’re happening inside your brain. Your eyes work hard to keep you safe and help you enjoy your life.

Your eyes have lots of nerves that carry information from your retinas to your brains. If these nerves get damaged, they won’t send messages properly. That means your vision could be blurry or distorted. A problem called glaucoma can lead to permanent damage and blindness if left untreated. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your eyesight.

If you smoke, avoid using tobacco-based products.

Nicotine in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes damages the cells and blood vessels that line the back of the eye. These cells help regulate pressure between the inside and outside of the eye, which keeps fluids flowing in and out (Aqueous Humor). When nicotine causes them to leak, fluid builds up in the back of the eye, damaging nerve fibers and causing vision loss.

Protect your eyes from direct sunlight.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause aging changes in the cornea (the clear front window) and lens of the eye. This can make your vision worse over time. Wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever possible.

Try not to look directly at bright lights. Direct light causes glare and reflections that can burn your retina. Instead, try to read with indirect lighting or a light box. Or wear glasses while driving.

Avoid self-prescribed medications.

Many drugs can cause dryness in your eyes. Keep your medication bottles closed and away from children. Don’t share your prescriptions, either!

Get enough sleep.

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but it’s still true. Sleep helps maintain good hearing and balance. Lack of sleep makes you feel tired and worn out. In turn, that affects how well you see. Try to go to bed early and wake up early — ideally at least seven hours of sleep each night.

Keep your hands clean. Rubbing your eyes gently Eye Massage) with warm water is effective at reducing irritation. But don’t press your eyes with your fingers, since this can push particles deeper into the tear ducts.

Maintain Dental Hygiene

Don’t forget about your teeth. Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly is great way to prevent gum disease, which weakens your gums and puts you at risk for infection of the eyes.

Eat healthy & Balanced Diets Rich in Leafy Greens.

Foods high in vitamin C improve immunity and may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, among other conditions. Leafy greens, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, berries, beans, peas, nuts, whole grains, and dark chocolate are excellent sources of vitamin C.

Stay active by Exercising Regularly

Exercise increases circulation and oxygen levels in your body, helping to flush toxins and strengthen your muscles. Exercise also lowers your heart rate, which reduces the amount of strain on your eyes.

Devise an Optimum Home-Screen Ergonomics

Keep your home free of clutter, especially near the computer. Too much computer screen time can weaken your eyes. So remove books and magazines from your desk or table and put your phone face down. Use a laptop stand instead of a lap pad to minimize your eyestrain. And set your monitor on a low shelf rather than a high counter.

Don’t watch TV or play video games late at night. According to the American Optometric Association, prolonged exposure to blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps promote restful sleep. Limit your television viewing to no more than two hours after sunset, and cut down on gaming time to no later than three hours before going to bed.

If you keep Pets, Maintain Good Pet & Personal Hygiene

Take care of your pets. Because animals shed hair, dirt, and debris, your pet’s coat can collect debris that ends up in your eyes. Wash your pet’s fur frequently with a diluted solution of baking soda and water. If their coats seem dirty, bathe the animal and keep their utensils clean