Take care of your eyes

Eyes are one of the most important senses. Many people, especially young people, take the eyes for granted. For a human impairment or loss of vision represents a significant reduction in quality of life. Here are some simple and effective advices how to take care of your eyes.

Rule 20 - 20 – 20 - watching the monitor or any other display will not damage your vision, but it can make your eyes tired and dry. It is surprising that while watching the monitor we blink twice as often than usual. Follow the rule of 20 - 20 – 20, meaning  every 20 minutes take a look to a distance of 20 meters for a minimum of 20 seconds. Let the distance between you and the monitor be at least 60 cm. Reduce glare of monitor by turning it to the side to which there is no sunlight, or invest in a protective film that acts as a filter.

Sunglasses - UV radiation damage the eyes as well as skin. Exposure to UV radiation can cause cataracts and cancer of the eyelid. Whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses or lenses that block 99-100% of UV radiation. Sunglasses lenses and glasses do not have to be expensive, it is enough to check their label. Snow, water, soil and sand reflect UV rays, therefore  it is necessary to protect the eyes.

Nutrition - proper diet that improves circulation is great for the heart, eyes and vision. Choose foods such as citrus fruits, dark leafy vegetables and whole grains. Zinc rich foods (beans, shellfish, lean red meat, poultry) significantly reduce the risk of visual impairment. Carrots improves eyesight because it contains vitamin A. Other nutrients important for vision are beta carotene and lutein.

Do not ignore problems with sight - if your eyes are often irritated, dry or red, understate the problem with cold compresses or eye drops. If you feel that something in your eye scratches, wash the eye with water. Visit a doctor if symptoms do not go away, if you feel pain, swelling, discharge, and you're sensitive to light.

Clean the lens - before handling lenses, wash your hands. Use the resources your doctor approved. Every time you remove your lenses clean thoroughly. It's important to regularly change lenses.

Beware of medications - many types of medications can damage your eyes. These are usually antacids, anti-anxiety medications and blood thinners, antidepressants, diuretics, corticosteroids and oral contraceptives. Consult with your doctor about possible side effects and complications.

Do not use old makeup - makeup easily accumulate bacteria. Get rid of the products that are older than 3 months. If you get an infection, get rid of all the products. If you are prone to allergic reactions, be careful when trying out cosmetics. Do not share cosmetics and do not use samples in shops. Thoroughly clean your face after using makeup, especially before bedtime.

Regular checkups - no matter whether you wear glasses or not, an eye examination every two years are required for all persons over the age of 21 to 40 year. All who wear lenses and people older than 40 years should go to the eye examinations annually. Many diseases, including glaucoma, occurre as a consequence of aging or diabetes and do not give early symptoms, so regular check up is extremely important.

Quit smoking - if you smoke, quit! Smoking increases the risk of cataracts and causes an uncomfortable feeling of dry eyes. It also increases the risk of plaque buildup in the blood system and weakens arteries. In addition to increasing the risk of heart attack, can cause a variety of eye diseases and vision loss. The good news is that as soon as you stop smoking, your risk of developing eye disease becomes the same as non-smokers.