With the help of our eyes, we perceive the world around us in all its colors.But over time, the outlines of objects lose their clarity and the colors fade.This happens not because the world has changed, but because of a decrease in visual acuity.This problem can affect anyone.For prevention, it is important to know how to improve your vision if it starts to deteriorate.
How urgent is the problem of loss of visual acuity?
According to statistics, more than 290 million people are visually impaired, and about 40 million are completely blind.In big cities, 8 out of 10 residents have various vision problems, and around the world at least 1 adult goes blind every 5 seconds.
The statistics are not encouraging at all and make you think very seriously about eye health.In 75-80% of cases, the loss of visual function can be prevented if you undergo a therapeutic course in the early stages of the development of ophthalmic diseases.
The reason for the decrease in visual acuity can be the influence of the external environment, as well as unbalanced nutrition, hereditary predisposition, etc.But genetics cannot be fooled in any way, and other factors can somehow be "neutralized".
Only a specialist knows how to improve vision and cure diseases that lead to vision loss.Therefore, diagnostics must be performed every year to assess the health of the organ of vision and the whole body.
How can you improve your vision quickly?
Everyone can minimize the harm of external factors and modify their lifestyle.We have compiled for you the 10 most popular methods that will help you improve your vision and prevent its complete loss.
Don't forget sun protection either
Ultraviolet radiation, the main source of which is the sun, is invisible to the human eye.But contrary to the popular belief that only direct rays are harmful to the eyes, radiation reflected from surfaces is no less dangerous.The bright sun helps the tear fluid to evaporate more quickly.Therefore, dryness and burning sensations often increase in summer.
Many people have no idea that prolonged sun exposure can lead to conjunctivitis, photokeratitis (burning and inflammation of the cornea) and cataracts.But you can protect your eyes from the sun.To do this, you need to wear glasses that minimize the damage caused by radiation at any time of the year.But only good glasses with a protection level of UV 400 or UV 380 can cope with ultraviolet radiation.
There are also glasses with cosmetics.But they have nothing in common with eye protection products against ultraviolet radiation.These are more image accessories than sunglasses.
Protect your eyes from injury
Don't forget to wear eye protection when working with open flames, chemicals or welding machines.Without glasses, you cannot do work that endangers your eyesight, because you may be injured or suffer burns.
Remember to take precautions when working with pieces of stone, chips, and any small objects that can injure your eyes.Special glasses are not only useful at work, but also at home.
Take vitamins that improve vision
Vitamins such as A, D, C, E are considered extremely useful for the visual system.Minerals such as zinc are also beneficial.These active ingredients help prevent macular degeneration (responsible for central vision).
Cold-pressed vegetable oil will also have a beneficial effect on the visual system.This can be fennel oil, pumpkin oil or pine nut oil.To reduce the risk of developing cataracts, you need riboflavin, vitamin B2 and beta-carotene.These substances are present in tomatoes and watermelons.
In order to keep your eyes healthy, you should also eat other foods that improve your eyesight.These can be natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon and flaxseed), fresh fruits and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, red peppers, kale, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries).It is difficult to say clearly which foods improve vision.But if you want to preserve it, your diet must include vitamins and minerals important to the body.
Take a break from the computer
After a working day spent in front of the monitor, many people sit down in front of the computer again at home to finish their work or just watch their favorite movie.But such a load on the visual device is unacceptable.
The 20x20x20 rule helps reduce the negative consequences of eye strain.It's easy to decipher: if you work with digital information, you should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes.At this time, look at an object that is 20 meters away from you.
It is useful to blink frequently during visual stress, because the frequency of blinking decreases when performing tasks that require a high concentration of attention.Because of this, the tear film evaporates quickly and an unpleasant sensation occurs.
If work and rest time at the computer is violated, dry eye syndrome (DES) may occur.This condition is usually treated with eye drops.But they are not able to improve vision or provide sufficient moisture to the eyes.Drops are only a temporary measure to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of dry eye syndrome.Such drugs do not normalize tear production, so they are only suitable for the symptomatic treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Don't forget eye exercises either
After long, monotonous work at the computer, it is worth "training" your eyes.Visual gymnastics consists of simple exercises that help relieve severe tension in the eye muscles and get rid of the feeling of heaviness.Incorporate three simple exercises into your daily routine:
- Close your eyes.Sitting in a chair, close your eyes tightly for a few seconds and then open them again.Repeat the exercise 8-10 times with a 5-10 second break between sets.
- "Running eyes."Stand on your feet and slowly move your gaze from side to side, bottom to top.
- Blinking.Try to blink very often for 1-2 minutes.Despite the simplicity of the exercise, it is very useful because it stimulates blood circulation in the eye tissues.
Is it possible to improve eyesight with gymnastics?Of course, exercises will not help restore 100% vision in 5 minutes, even if you do it every day.But regular training of the visual apparatus helps to prevent the development of serious eye diseases.
Of course, exercises do not help to restore vision completely, but they can relieve muscle tension, stimulate tear ducts, and improve tissue nutrition and blood supply.
But eye exercises are not always beneficial.It cannot be performed in case of retinal detachment, inflammatory eye diseases, or immediately after surgical treatment of eye diseases.Overloading the visual equipment under such conditions can only aggravate its condition.
Control your weight
Being overweight can be one of the reasons for the deterioration of the visual system.Paradoxical as it may sound, it is true.Many obese people have type 2 diabetes, which leads to diabetic retinopathy.When there is a lot of sugar in the blood, the walls of the arteries in the retina are damaged.Because of this, vision deteriorates.
Another complication of diabetes that can cause poor vision is neuropathy.It can affect any part of the nervous system, including the optic nerves.Weight control and physical activity help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and its eye complications.
Obesity is often accompanied by high blood pressure, which in turn also has a negative effect on the visual system.To normalize blood pressure, you need to take not only special drugs, but also do physical exercises that help control body weight.
Giving up bad habits will help you maintain your vision
Smoking, drinking alcohol and other bad habits are harmful to health.They also suffer a lot from gas.For example, smoking can increase the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.But not only nicotine is harmful, because cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membrane and can even contribute to its drying out.
But this can be avoided by giving up bad habits.The fact is that the eyes are able to recover after quitting cigarettes.So think about your health before you smoke another cigarette.
Let's not forget about antioxidants
The visual system is exposed to oxidative stress every day, which anthocyanins help neutralize.These beneficial antioxidants are found in various berries such as cherries, blueberries, cranberries and currants.They help reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome (DES).
This disease is characterized by a decrease in the production of tear fluid and (or) a change in its composition.Normally, the precorneal film should nourish, hydrate, and protect the cornea.But due to the lack of tears, it quickly loses its stability, thins or completely atrophies.
Increased evaporation of tears causes the protective film to dry out.Typical symptoms of dry eyes appear: itching, redness, burning sensation, tearing, foreign body sensation, etc.Without treatment, dry eye can lead to inflammatory eye diseases, damage to the cornea, and even the appearance of ulcers on its surface.
Japanese researchers have found Aristotelia chile extract to be the most effective source of eye-healthy antioxidants.It contains delphinidins, which have a direct effect on the lacrimal glands and improve their function.They absorb free radicals that damage the cells of the lacrimal gland and neutralize the effects of oxidative stress.This helps reduce the risk of developing diabetic rhinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and other diseases that can lead to loss of vision.
Analysis of heredity
If one of your relatives (grandparents, parents) had vision problems, there is a chance that this problem will be inherited.This is especially true for macular degeneration, glaucoma and optic atrophy.
These diseases are most often genetic in nature.Therefore, if someone in your family has received such a diagnosis, you should pay special attention to prevention.
Remember hygiene
The organs of vision are very sensitive to infections and pathogenic microbes.Therefore, everything that comes into contact with the eyes must be as clean as possible: hands, handkerchiefs, towels, etc.And, of course, contact lenses.The rules for their care must be strictly followed, they must be regularly disinfected and replaced at the end of their service life.
Lenses should be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations and regularly disinfected.Otherwise, you run the risk of simply getting an infection in your eye.