| Have you ever wished the human body came | | | | infections of the eyes, as well as the eyelids. |
| with a manual? I know I have. When we're told | | | | 4. If you wear contact lenses, remove and |
| we have to take care of our eyes or we'll have | | | | replace your lenses as directed by your eye care |
| degraded eyesight over time, or worse, we're not | | | | provider: This will minimize protein buildup on the |
| often told what we can do to keep our eyes | | | | lenses, which could lead to decreased amounts of |
| happy and healthy. Well, there are eight easy | | | | oxygen to the cornea and decreased comfort of |
| ways you can do just that. And they are: | | | | the lenses. Proper compliance will also significantly |
| 1. Protect your eyes against the UV rays from | | | | decrease chances of infections. |
| the sun: This can be achieved by wearing | | | | 5. Always wear safety glasses which are ANSI |
| sunglasses that have 100% UVA and UVB | | | | approved while using power tools, working in the |
| protection. Studies have shown that UV exposure | | | | yard, and when using any chemicals. |
| contributes to cataract formation, macular | | | | 6. Eat foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and |
| degeneration, and pinguecula and pterygia, which | | | | vegetables: Foods containing antioxidants along |
| are unsightly growths on the surface of the eye | | | | with zinc have been shown to delay the |
| that distort vision. | | | | progression of advanced macular degeneration. |
| 2. Take frequent breaks when working on a | | | | Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to help improve |
| computer: When working on a computer, we blink | | | | dry eye symptoms. |
| less often. This leads to dry eye syndrome, which | | | | 7. Do not smoke: Smoke is an irritant and also |
| can be irritating as well as cause visual disturbance. | | | | increases the chance of developing cataracts and |
| Instilling lubricating drops can keep your eyes | | | | macular degeneration. |
| more comfortable. And, a good rule of thumb to | | | | 8. Get your eyes examined every 12 months: |
| limit eyestrain is to look beyond 20 feet every 20 | | | | Serious eye conditions are usually detected before |
| minutes for 20 seconds. | | | | the patient has any visual complaints. Many eye |
| 3. Replace make-up on a regular basis: This will | | | | diseases, if detected early enough, can be treated |
| keep it free from bacterial growth and avoid | | | | successfully without significant vision loss. |