We perceive the world around us in all its variety of colors with the help of our eyes.But over time, the contours of objects lose clarity and colors fade.This is not because the world has changed, but because of a decrease in visual acuity.This problem can affect anyone.To prevent it, it is important to know how to improve your vision when it starts to decline.
How urgent is the problem of loss of visual acuity?
According to statistics, more than 290 million people have poor vision, about 40 million are completely unable to see.In large cities, various visual dysfunctions are observed in 8 out of 10 inhabitants, and in the world at least 1 adult goes blind every 5 seconds.
The statistics are not at all encouraging and make us think very seriously about eye health.In 75-80% of cases, the loss of visual function can be prevented if you undergo a course of therapy in the early stages of the development of ophthalmic diseases.
The reason for reduced visual acuity can be the influence of the external environment and an unbalanced diet, hereditary predisposition, etc.But genetics cannot be fooled in any way, and other factors can be "neutralized" somehow.
Only a specialist knows how to improve vision and cure diseases that lead to vision loss.Therefore, every year it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis to assess the health of the organ of vision and the whole body.
How to improve your vision quickly?
Everyone can minimize the damage of external factors and adjust their lifestyle.We have prepared for you the 10 most popular ways that will help improve vision and prevent its complete loss.
Do not forget about sun protection
Ultraviolet radiation, the main source of which is the sun, is invisible to the human eye.But contrary to popular belief that only direct rays are harmful to the eyes, radiation reflected from surfaces is no less dangerous.Bright sunlight promotes faster evaporation of tear fluid.Therefore, in the summer the feeling of dryness and burning is often intensified.
Many people do not suspect that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to the development of conjunctivitis, photokeratitis (burning and inflammation of the cornea) and cataracts.But you can protect your eyes from the sun.To do this, you need to wear glasses that help minimize radiation damage at any time of the year.But only good glasses with UV 400 or UV 380 protection level can withstand ultraviolet radiation.
There are also cups labeled with cosmetics.But they have nothing in common with products for protecting the eyes from ultraviolet radiation.These are more of an image accessory than sunglasses.
Protect your eyes from injury
When working with open fire, chemicals or a welding machine, do not forget about eye protection.Without glasses, you cannot carry out work that poses a risk to the organ of vision, because you can be injured or burned.
You should also remember to take precautions when working with pieces of stone, chips, and any small objects that could injure your eyes.Special glasses are useful not only at work, but also at home.
Take vitamins that improve vision
Vitamins such as A, D, C, E are considered extremely useful for the visual system.Minerals, such as zinc, also provide benefits.These active substances help prevent macular degeneration (responsible for central vision).
Cold-pressed vegetable oil will also be beneficial for the visual system.This can be fennel oil, pumpkin oil or pine oil.To reduce the risk of developing cataracts, you need riboflavin, vitamin B2 and beta-carotene.These substances are present in tomatoes and watermelons.
To maintain eye health, you should also eat other foods that improve vision.These can be natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon and flax seeds), fresh fruits and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, red peppers, kale, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries).It is difficult to say definitively which foods improve vision.But the diet of a person who wants to preserve it must contain vitamins and minerals important for the body.
Take a break from the computer
Many people, after a working day spent in front of the monitor, sit down again in front of the computer at home to finish work or simply watch their favorite movie.But such loads on the visual apparatus are unacceptable.
The 20x20x20 rule will help reduce the negative consequences of eye strain.It can be easily deciphered: when working with digital information, every 20 minutes you need to take a break for 20 seconds.At this time, you should look at an object located 20 meters away from you.
It is useful to ignore often during visual stress, because when performing tasks that require high concentration of attention, the frequency of blinking decreases.Because of this, the tear film evaporates quickly and discomfort appears.
If the regime of work and rest at the computer is violated, dry eye syndrome (DES) may appear.This condition is usually treated with eye drops.But they are unable to improve vision or provide sufficient moisture to the eyes.Drops are only a temporary measure to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of dry eye syndrome.Such drugs do not normalize the production of tears, therefore they are suitable only for the symptomatic treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Do not forget about eye exercises
After a long and monotonous work at the computer, it is useful to give your eyes a "training session".Visual gymnastics consists of simple exercises that help relieve heavy tension from the eye muscles and remove the feeling of heaviness.Incorporate three simple exercises into your daily routine:
- Squinting.While sitting in a chair, close your eyes tightly for a few seconds and open your eyes again.Repeat the exercise 8-10 times with a 5-10 second rest between sets.
- "Running eyes."Stand still and slowly move your gaze from side to side, from bottom to top.
- Blink.Try to close your eyes very often for 1-2 minutes.Despite the simplicity of this exercise, it is very useful, because it helps to stimulate blood circulation in the tissues of the eyes.
Is it possible to improve vision with gymnastics?Of course, exercises will not help restore 100% vision in 5 minutes, even if you do them every day.But periodic training of the visual apparatus will help prevent the development of serious ophthalmological diseases.
Of course, exercises will not help to fully restore vision, but they can relieve muscle tension, stimulate the tear ducts and improve nutrition and blood supply to the tissues.
But eye exercises are not always helpful.It should not be done in cases of retinal detachment, inflammatory ophthalmological diseases or immediately after surgical treatment of eye pathologies.Straining the visual apparatus in the presence of such conditions can only worsen its condition.
Check your body weight
Excess weight can be one of the reasons for the deterioration of the visual system.As paradoxical as this sounds, it is true.Many obese people suffer from type 2 diabetes, which leads to the development of diabetic retinopathy.When there is too much sugar in the blood, the walls of the arteries in the retina are damaged.Because of this, vision deteriorates.
Another complication of diabetes that can cause poor vision is neuropathy.It can affect any part of the nervous system, including the nerves of the visual apparatus.Weight control and physical activity help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and its eye complications.
Obesity is also often associated with hypertension, which in turn negatively affects the visual system.To normalize blood pressure, you should not only take special medicines, but also do physical exercises that will help you control your weight.
Giving up bad habits will help maintain visual acuity
Smoking, drinking alcohol and other bad habits are harmful to health.They also suffer a lot from gas.For example, smoking can increase the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.But not only nicotine is harmful, because cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membrane and can even contribute to its dehydration (drying).
But this can be avoided by giving up bad habits.The fact is that the eye vessels are able to recover after quitting smoking.So think about your health before you smoke another cigarette.
Do not forget about antioxidants
Every day, the visual system is exposed to oxidative stress, which anthocyanins help to neutralize.These beneficial antioxidants are present in various berries, such as cherries, blueberries, cranberries and currants.They help reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome (DES).
This disease is characterized by a decrease in the production of tear fluid and (or) a change in its composition.Normally, the paracorneal film should nourish, hydrate and protect the cornea.But due to the lack of tears, it quickly loses stability, becomes thin or completely atrophies.
Increased evaporation of tears causes the protective film to dry.Typical symptoms of dry eye appear: itching, redness, burning sensation, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, etc.If left untreated, dry eye can lead to inflammatory eye disease, damage to the cornea, and even the appearance of ulcers on its surface.
Researchers from Japan have found that the most effective source of eye-healthy antioxidants is Chilean Aristotelia extract.It contains delphinidins, which have a direct effect on the tear glands and help improve their functioning.They absorb free radicals that damage the cells of the lacrimal gland and neutralize the effects of oxidative stress.This helps reduce the risk of developing diabetic rhinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and other diseases that can lead to loss of vision.
Analyze inheritance
If one of your relatives (grandparents, parents) had vision problems, there is a possibility that this problem will be inherited.This is especially true for macular degeneration, glaucoma and optic nerve atrophy.
These diseases most often have a genetic nature.Therefore, if someone in your family has had such a diagnosis, you should pay special attention to prevention.
Do not forget about hygiene
The organs of vision are very sensitive to infections and pathogenic microbes.Therefore, everything that comes into contact with the eyes must be as clean as possible: hands, handkerchiefs, towels, etc.And, of course, contact lenses.It is necessary to strictly follow the rules for their care, disinfect them regularly and change them after the end of their service life.
Lenses should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and disinfected regularly.Otherwise, there is a risk that you will simply get an infection in your eyes.