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Tips for good vision

June 29, 2008

 If you want to see clearly for years to come, then eat your veggies, quit smoking, and wear your sunglasses yearround.


 An eye condition that can lead to blindness is increasing as baby boomers age. It may help guard against this sightstealer — called age-related macular degeneration — if you choose glasses that filter 99-100 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. And that goes for all specs, not just your sunglasses. Here are some vision-friendly foods you should eat:


 Whether you’re buying regular glasses or the latest in cool shades, be sure the lenses block harmful rays. Many prescription lenses now come with built-in protection, but if not, anti-UV coatings are available. Your optometrist or optician can guide you and also may be able to do a quick test to see if your current eyewear is UV-proof.

What’s on your plate can also help your vision. Make a habit of eating fruits and veggies rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Corn and dark, leafy greens are good sources. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc have been shown to protect eye health, too.


Finally, if you still smoke, this might help you quit: Lighting up more than 20 cigarettes a day doubles the risk of macular degeneration.

Written by James · Filed Under Eye Care 

Eye care for Computer users

May 26, 2008

Your eyes are the windows to your soul. They are the most delicate part of your face and they need all your care and attention. Computer-users who spend sometimes more than 18 hours in a day on their PCs or laptops need to take a break every now and then so that the eyes do not feel much strain. Some steps definitely need to be taken to protect your eyes so that they last you for a lifetime. A change in your lifestyle, your behaviour patterns and diet can help you in achieving that end.

Dr George Cooper, a specialist vitreo-retina surgeon, says, “When working for long hours at a computer or laptop, the reduced blinking rate can cause dryness. Hence frequent breaks (every 45 min to 1 hour) with forced blinking is essential. Also one should work in a well-lit environment. Try to minimise light reflections or glares if possible. Also place the visual display terminal of your PC at or slightly below eye level,” he advises.

 Nowadays you don’t see kids enjoying outdoor games like hide and seek, gilli danda, etc. Rather, you’ll find them hooked to their computer sets playing computer games or video games. Says Dr Chhugani, “Parents should encourage children to do more physical activities rather than playing just computer or other video games. It does spoil their eyes so they need to be careful.”

 Diet too plays an important role in maintaining your eyesight. “A vegetarian diet should include a fair amount of fruits and vegetables like spinach, coloured bell peppers, carrots, papayas and drumsticks. If you are a non-vegetarian your diet should include fish, broccoli and dark green leafy veggies, as all these contain essential nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins which maintain the health of various structures of eye,” informs Dr Chhugani.

And with the Summer still on in full swing “use of protective sunglasses labelled with 90-100 per cent UVA-B blocking properties” is helpful. Here’s a word of caution for swimmers and those involved in all types of other sports. “Use goggles while swimming. Also use protective eye wear for activities like snow skiing, water and racquet sports,” advises Dr Chhugani.

Here are a few more provided by Doctors which can help you take good care of your beautiful eyes:

Individuals suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and those who have a family history of glaucoma must visit their eye care professional on a regular basis as if neglected they can lead to permanent blindness.

Preferably read in good light with focus of the light falling from up or behind. Although dim light does not harm your eye it can cause strain, fatigue, occasional headaches and tiredness in the long run.

If you have prescription glasses make sure you use them as recommended by your eye doctor.

Wash your eyes regularly with cool water and drink lots of water.

Discard/change your eye liner and other make-up near or around the eye after 5-6 months as this may increase chances of irritation and infection in the eye.

Individuals wearing contact lenses must replace them on a regular basis as recommended by the eye doctor. One must preferably purchase them from an eye doctor or a trained optometrist so that they work well on your eyes. Also maintain them with utmost hygiene as any traces of dust on the lens can cause irritation and infection in your eyes.

Do not ignore any eye related symptoms, do not self medicate and get regular eye check-ups done with an eye doctor.

Written by James · Filed Under Eye Care 

Get Nutty

May 1, 2008

 Eat nuts to keep your eyes sharp

Regardless of their shape, size, or type, fatty foods may be bad for your eyes. With this exception: nuts! Yes, eating nuts at least once a week may help protect your peepers from vision-stealing conditions like macular degeneration.

Feed your vision

Scientists discovered that people with agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) could slow down the disease by eating one or more servings of nuts a week. Makes sense. The supernutrients in nuts — vitamin E, copper, magnesium, fibre, and resveratrol — all help protect against blood vessel problems that might contribute to AMD.

More sight savers

Not so nuts about nuts? Here are some other options: Go fish! Turns out eating fish, Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Eye Care 

Everything you need to know about Conjunctivitis

October 4, 2007

Conjunctivitis
It’s everywhere! Wherever you look you see it. Your neighbour, your son’s teacher, your office colleague, they all have it. And if you are not careful you will have it too! Conjunctivitis or pink eye is in ‘fashion’ again. Conjunctivitis or pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctivita (The outer most layer of the eye that covers the sclera). The seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is back with a vengeance, stronger then ever before. The eyes are most susceptible to this because they are not sterile as they rely on lysozyme – an enzyme found in tears to destroy bacteria. Allergic conjunctivitis may be caused by intolerance to substances such as cosmetics, perfumes or drugs, animal dander, dust, and other allergens that are present in the environment all the year round. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is a form of allergic conjunctivitis. One of the reasons for people being affected en masse is related to the specific pollens that spore during this season. Bacterial conjunctivitis is often caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. Viral conjunctivitis normally occurs with an upper respiratory tract infection, cold and sore throat. The most common give away is a constant niggling feeling in the eye, which causes the person to itch vigorously followed by watery discharges and redness. As symptoms remain untreated the eye lids get swollen and the consistency of the discharges become thicker causing the eye lids to stick together especially after sleeping.

Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Eye Care