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 happens not because the world has changed, but because of a decrease in visual acuity.This problem can affect anyone.To prevent it, it's 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 residents, 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 development of ophthalmic diseases.
The reason for a decrease in visual acuity can be both the influence of the external environment and an unbalanced diet, hereditary predisposition, etc.But genetics cannot be cheated in any way, and other factors can somehow be “neutralized”.
Only a specialist knows how to improve vision and cure diseases that lead to vision loss.That is why every year it is necessary to carry out diagnostics to assess the health of the organ of vision and the whole body.
How to improve your vision quickly?
Everyone can minimize the harm from 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.
Don't forget about sun protection
Ultraviolet radiation, the main source of which is the sun, is invisible to the human eye.But contrary to the common belief that only direct rays are harmful to the eyes, radiation reflected from surfaces is no less dangerous.Bright sun promotes faster evaporation of tear fluid.Therefore, in the summer, the feeling of dryness and burning often increases.
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 the harm of radiation at any time of the year.But only good glasses with a protection level of UV 400 or UV 380 can cope with ultraviolet radiation.
There are also glasses with cosmetic labels.But they have nothing to do with products to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation.They are more of an image accessory than sunglasses.
Protect your eyes from injury
When working with an open flame, 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 injure yourself or burn yourself.
You should also remember to take precautions when working with stone chips, shavings and any small objects that can 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 beneficial 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 useful for the visual system.This can be fennel oil, pumpkin seed oil, or pine nut 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, cabbage, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries).It is difficult to say definitively which foods improve vision.But the diet of a person who wants to keep it should contain vitamins and minerals that are important for the body.
Take a break from the computer
Many people, after a working day spent in front of the monitor, again sit down in front of the computer at home to do their work or just watch their favorite movie.But such loads on the visual apparatus are unacceptable.
The 20x20x20 rule will help reduce the negative effects 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 blink frequently during visual stress, because when performing tasks that require a high concentration of attention, the frequency of blinking decreases.Because of this, the tear film quickly evaporates and discomfort appears.
Dry eye syndrome (DES) may occur when the work and rest mode of the computer is disturbed.This condition is usually treated with eye drops.But they are unable to improve vision or provide the eyes with sufficient moisture.Drops are only a temporary measure to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of dry eye syndrome.Such drugs do not normalize tear production, which is why they are only suitable for symptomatic treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Do not forget about eye exercises
After long, monotonous work in front of the computer, it is useful to give your eyes a "workout".Visual gymnastics consists of simple exercises that help relieve strong tension from the eye muscles and eliminate the feeling of heaviness.Incorporate three simple exercises into your daily routine:
- Squint your eyes.While sitting in a chair, close your eyes tightly for a few seconds and open them again.Repeat the exercise 8-10 times with a 5-10 second rest between sets.
- "Running eyes".Stand on your feet and slowly move your gaze from side to side, from bottom to top.
- blinking.Try to blink your eyes very often for 1-2 minutes.Despite the simplicity of this exercise, it is very useful, as it helps to stimulate blood circulation in the eye tissues.
Is it possible to improve eyesight 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 ophthalmic diseases.
Of course, exercises will not help to fully restore vision, but they can relieve muscle tension, stimulate tear ducts and improve nutrition and blood supply to tissues.
But eye exercises are not always helpful.It should not be done in case of retinal detachment, inflammatory ophthalmic diseases or immediately after surgical treatment of eye pathologies.Overexertion of the visual apparatus in the presence of such conditions can only worsen its condition.
Control your body weight
Being overweight can be one of the reasons for deterioration of the visual system.As paradoxical as it 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 retinal arteries 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 optic nerves.Weight control and physical activity help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and its eye complications.
Obesity is also often accompanied by hypertension, which in turn also negatively affects the visual system.To normalize blood pressure, you should not only take special drugs, 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, as cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membrane and can even contribute to its dehydration (drying).
But this can be avoided by giving up bad habits.It is a fact that eye vessels can be restored after quitting smoking.So think about your health before you smoke a new cigarette.
Don't forget about antioxidants
Every day, the visual system is exposed to oxidative stress, which anthocyanins help to neutralize.These beneficial antioxidants are present in a variety of berries, such as cherries, blueberries, cranberries, and black 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 precorneal film is supposed to nourish, moisturize and protect the cornea.But due to lack of tears, it quickly loses stability, thins or completely atrophies.
Increased evaporation of tears leads to drying of the protective film.Characteristic symptoms of dry eye appear: itching, redness, burning sensation, tearing, sensation of a foreign body, etc.If left untreated, dry eye can lead to inflammatory eye diseases, damage to the cornea, and even ulcers on its surface.
Researchers from Japan have found that the most effective source of eye-healthy antioxidants is Aristotelia Chilean extract.It contains delphinidins, which have a direct effect on the lacrimal glands and help to improve their functioning.They absorb free radicals that damage tear gland cells 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 visual function.
Analyze heredity
If any of your relatives (grandparents, parents) had vision problems, there is a chance that this problem will be inherited.This is especially true for macular degeneration, glaucoma and optic nerve atrophy.
These diseases are mostly genetic in nature.Therefore, if someone in your family has had such a diagnosis, you should pay special attention to prevention.
Remember hygiene
The organs of vision are very sensitive to infections and pathogenic microbes.Therefore, everything that comes into contact with the eyes should be as clean as possible: hands, handkerchiefs, towels, etc.And, of course, contact lenses.It is necessary to strictly follow the rules of care for them, regularly disinfect them and replace 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 of simply getting an infection in your eyes.