How to keep your eyes healthy

Dr Keiki Mehta, eye surgeon gives us tips

Protect the eyes from the sun. Sunglasses once thought of fashion accessory have now been proven to be essential for good eyesight . Ultraviolet light rays emitted from the especially UV-B is the most damaging to the crystalline lens and causes cataracts, corneal changes, and macular degeneration. Regrettably all sunglasses cannot protect you unless they specifically stipulate UV protection.
Especially at risk are people who spend long hours in the sun, who have had cataract surgery or who are taking certain medications such as tranquilizers, tetracycline and diuretics, are more sensitivity to sunlight. During driving sunglasses reduce glare and bright stray light preventing accidents.

Regular eye checkup: It is amazing how people will service the car or motorbike regularly but do not think of servicing the eyes. And eye checkup does not refer only to a spectacle number check done casually in an optical shop. It refers to examination on a slit microscope followed by an eye pressure check for glaucoma, with a detailed retinalexamination. If there are any symptoms of irritation, poking, visual changes, seeing spots, or even tiredness, it merits a detailed exam.

Eye strain during reading: The book should be well lighted , but the area surrounding the book should also be well lit . Reading in a dark room leads to eye strain. Ideally the light should come over your left shoulder. When you concentrate hard , the blink rate of the eye drops significantly. This leads to blurring and defused vision. Blink frequently when you study for long periods of time.

Computer care: Position the computer screen/ laptop so that you are not looking at the screen straight on. Eyes are designed to work in a position of depressed convergence, ( ie looking down and in. ). The top of the screen should not be higher than your eyes. The brightness of the screen should be the same intensity of the lighting of the surroundings. Try and scheduled your study sessions early morning rather than late night it induces far less strain. And remember to take a 5 min break after every 40 min of reading.

Contact lens care: If you are into contact lenses which is perfectly okay, be sure to select a good manufacturer.Clean lenses twice a day with the advised solutions regularly. Adhere to your lens schedules . A monthly wear disposable is to be "disposed "in a month. If there is any redness or poking see your eye professional immediately

Avoid smoking
It can lead to cataracts , increases risk of macular degeneration. And can , if combined with alcohol, lead to optic nerve disorders,.

Diabetes? Extra caution: If you have diabetes, if untended can lead to the retina being damged with the chance of a retinal vessels leakage, bleeding and even , if left uncontrolled, retinal detachment and blindness. Irrespective of your age, 4 monthly checkups are mandatory.

Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Nutrients like Vitamin A, are essential for good retinal health and aid in both color and night vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin, both carotenoid nutrients, help in preventing macular degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to help prevent recurrent eye infections and improve dry eye symptoms.