October 8 is World Sight Day.
Our eyes help us see the world yet we seldom take good care of them. How many of us go for a regular check-up unless we feel any discomfort? We often ignore what they do for us and use them excessively while working on the computer for long hours and then watching TV without much break. Although some things are unavoidable, we can manage to keep our eyes healthy by making a few, small changes. Dr Preetam Samant, Director of The Eye Associates Mumbai (TEAM), shares tips we can use in our daily life to protect our eyes.
How to protect one’s eyes from overuse of computer in office?
Constantly working on the computer without blinking can damage your retina, so you need to take breaks to recharge your eyes. People usually forget to blink while working on the computer and the eyes don’t get naturally lubricated. This leads to dryness and redness. To reduce this, position your monitor below eye-level.
How to maintain eye health when watching something on the TV or laptop?
To maintain healthy eye while watching TV or laptop, you one need to follow the 20-20 rule which is easy to remember i.e every 20 minutes take a 20-second break. Stare into a spare or at an object that is about 20 feet away from you. This will relax your eyes.
Most commonly, you will not remember to take the break, so simply set a reminder on your phone until you get into the habit of doing this regularly. This rule also applies for people who use their smartphone or tablet to read or watch things. Also read – natural remedies for better eyesight.
When should one see an opthalmologist?
When the eye is red with associated discharge, lid swelling and decreased vision. This could mean conjunctivitis and requires prompt attention.
When vision in one or both eyes decreases – it could mean change of glasses, or development of some other complex problem.
When recurrent headaches occur – must visit their eye doctor to rule out a refractive error or a more serious underlying problem like swelling of the nerves.
All diabetics, hypertensive patients must get an annual eye check up. Likewise for all children from the age of 4 years.
Certain disease like glaucoma, in which the intraocular pressure in the eye increases, is asymptomatic i.e. the symptoms don’t show up. Hence, a routine check is a must, especially if there is a positive family history.
Eye pressure should be checked in all people above the age of 40 years.
All people with a high minus number must undergo an eye check, which includes dilated fundus/retina examination to rule out weak spots in the eye to prevent retinal detachment. Also read – top eye care myths busted.
Could you give a few general tips for healthy eyes?
- Eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C to prevent macular degeneration.
- Regular check-up with your opthalmologist is a must.
- Use the right kind of sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Read – 5 tips to protect your eyes from the sun.
Dr Preetam Saman is also an Associate Professor of Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai. He is also a Consultant at PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai. He is a specialist in vitreoretinal surgery and LASERS.
Image source: Shutterstock
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