Sight is the sense on which the human being relies most. As we live in a world where you have to constantly use your eyes to stare at small letters and images on cell phones, computer monitors and televisions, it is very important to do everything to improve your visual acuity. Poor eyesight reduces the quality of life and could lead to costly surgery or even partial blindness. But there are solutions to protect this important sense, keep it healthy and efficient so you can enjoy it for the rest of your life. Don't neglect your eyes!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Improve Eyesight Naturally
Step 1. Feed your eyes
These organs are part of the body and need nourishment to function at their best. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low in sugar and fatty foods is certainly the best way to keep your eyes healthy, just like the rest of your body.
- Vitamins A, C and E along with minerals such as copper and zinc should not be missing from your daily diet. These are essential nutrients for good eyesight and defense against disease. Eat strawberries, oranges, eggs, salmon, mackerel and almonds for vitamins and oysters, crab or turkey for minerals.
- Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eyes from sun damage. You can find them in dark green leafy vegetables, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
- Garlic, onions and capers allow you to absorb sulfur, cysteine and lecithin, which in turn protect the lens from developing cataracts.
- Blueberries, grapes and goji berries contain substances with anti-inflammatory properties, such as anthocyanins, which promote vision.
- An amount of 1000 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids can prevent age-related macular degeneration and dry eye. You can find these nutrients in salmon, herring, flax seeds and walnuts.
Step 2. Train your eyes
If you exercise them every day, you can keep them healthy and always enjoy great eyesight. Plan to do these exercises as soon as you wake up, before bedtime, or when you feel your eyes are tired. Make sure your hands are clean so as not to risk irritating these delicate organs and relax your mind before starting the session.
- Start with something simple. Rotate the eyeballs clockwise ten times and then in the opposite direction ten more times.
- Place your thumb (or pen) 15cm from your nose and stare for five seconds. Then turn your attention to an object immediately behind your finger and observe it for another five seconds. Repeat this sequence ten times for a total of two minutes. You can do this exercise quietly and quickly at work.
- Rub your palms together to warm them and then rest them on your eyes for five to ten seconds. Repeat this process three times to keep your eyes warm.
- Massage the temples, forehead and cheekbones using the knuckles of the thumb; make small circular motions dedicating yourself to each area for ten seconds.
Step 3. Rest your eyes and relax them
These organs work constantly for as long as you are awake, which is why you should give them plenty of rest by taking breaks throughout the day and getting enough sleep every night. All this contributes to regenerating sight. Lack of sleep weakens eye health.
- Close your eyelids for three to five minutes. Close your eyes and tilt your head back trying not to think about anything.
- Focus for twenty seconds on an object six meters away. This is the same test you are given to measure visual acuity.
- Try to rest your eyes for at least ten minutes every fifty minutes you spend in front of your computer monitor, in front of the TV, or reading a book. Take a nap when needed.
Method 2 of 3: Correct the View
Step 1. Get an eye exam
The optometrist is able to check your eyes for refractive errors, but you will need to go to an ophthalmologist to check for any medical conditions and general health of your visual system. If you have blurred vision, nearsightedness or farsightedness, then you may need glasses or surgery.
- You should schedule the frequency of eye checkups based on your age, health condition, and risk of developing eye disease. All these factors determine how many times, in a year, you should undergo a specialist examination. If you experience any kind of vision-related disorder, don't hesitate to make an appointment, as early diagnosis and treatment usually leads to better results.
- Check your visual acuity to see if you need optical correction.
- Get screened for glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve. This condition, if neglected, worsens over time.
Step 2. Put on your corrective lenses
You may need glasses to improve your vision, whether you are nearsighted or farsighted. In both cases, corrective lenses balance the excess or defect of curvature of the cornea or the length of the eyeball.
- Corrective glasses are the safest and most acceptable solution to remedy the problems caused by refractive errors. There are many types of lenses: bifocal, trifocal, progressive, for reading and with specific treatments for driving.
- Contact lenses are another popular option. They are applied directly into the eye and can be soft, rigid, suitable for extended wear, disposable, bifocal or gas-permeable.
- The main factors that guide you in choosing between contact lenses and glasses are safety and your lifestyle.
Step 3. Choose refractive surgery
There are several types of surgical procedures to choose from, in case you don't want to use corrective lenses. Over the past twenty years these interventions have become almost routine and are considered relatively safe for fully developed and trained eyes. The surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea.
- Laser-assisted keratomileusis in situ (LASIK) is a procedure in which layers of the cornea are removed and then repositioned to achieve the desired level of vision. It is a painless, quick operation that does not require a long convalescence.
- Epithelial laser keratomileusis (LASEK) reshapes the outer layers of the cornea and changes its curvature to improve vision. Compared to the procedure described above, LASEK provides longer recovery times, can cause pain and a more complex recovery; however, it has a high success rate.
- Refractive photokeratectomy (PRK) is similar to LASEK, but in this case the epithelium is remodeled. During healing, you need to wear protective contact lenses for a few days.
- The intraocular lens implant (IOL) involves the insertion of a lens in front of the lens; this is not a very popular procedure at this time.
- Conductive keratoplasty (CK) uses radio wave energy to apply heat to the cornea. The downside to this procedure is that the results are not permanent.
- Side effects of refractive surgery are visual, over- or under-correction, dry eyes, infections, corneal scarring and loss of vision.
Method 3 of 3: Create the Right Environment
Step 1. Adjust the amount of light
Make sure that the room you are in is lit, but in a gentle way. Fluorescent lights are considered harmful to the eyes because they emit wrong color frequencies and radiation that make you feel sleepy all day.
- When reading, try to keep the light source behind you so that it directly illuminates the page or objects you are working with.
- When at work or sitting at your desk, use a screened lamp and place it on the table in front of you. Make sure that the light beam hits your work and the screen protects your eyes from direct light.
- Don't watch TV or work on the computer in a dark room.
Step 2. Improve air quality
Dry eye is caused by a lack of moisture and tears that lubricate the surface of the eyes. Symptoms range from mild irritation to severe inflammation of the eye tissue.
- Use a humidifier to increase the humidity of the air in your home or workplace.
- Adjust the thermostat to reduce the flow of air and dust particles that can irritate your eyes.
- If your desk or workstation is near an air vent, move it away. Ask to be able to move to another area of the office.
- Stop smoking because this habit inflames your eyes. Consider stopping smoking if you develop pathological dry eyes.
- Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and lubricated as needed.
Step 3. Choose the right glasses
Buy a good pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses that are best for your situation. Nowadays there is a wide choice of frames and lenses that adapt to every situation; Then undergo an eye exam and ask your optometrist for advice on the most suitable prescription based on the situation in which you will need to use glasses.
- Corrective and non-corrective lenses are made for almost any lifestyle. There are lenses for sports, for outdoor or indoor use and also different materials according to the age of the wearer.
- If you work outdoors or have to drive a lot, then choose glasses with polarized lenses to protect yourself from ultraviolet rays and reflections. This way you won't have to squint.
- Use your glasses as long as necessary and make sure they are clean.
Step 4. Limit the time you spend in front of the computer
Computer monitors are the main cause of eye fatigue. Try to reduce the time you are exposed to this kind of light and regularly take breaks to exercise your eyes and keep them hydrated.
- If you have a tendency to stare at the monitor when you are in front of the computer, make a conscious effort to remember to blink often and thus produce the tears that moisturize and refresh your eyes.
- When you are in front of the computer, practice the 20-6-20 rule: every twenty minutes look up and observe an object six meters away for twenty seconds.
- Reduce glare on the monitor to avoid eye strain. This means that you should change the light source that is in front of and behind you.
- Place the screen directly in front of you about an arm's length away. It should be just below eye level. If necessary also change the height of the chair.
- Use a tablet to support the papers, so you can keep your eyes almost at the same height as your computer monitor. By reducing the number of occasions when your eyes have to readjust to distances, you also decrease eye fatigue.
- Increase the font size, contrast and brightness of the screen for effortless reading and browsing online.
- Make sure your monitor is always dust-free.
