The function of the eye is very important for humans. Therefore, his health must always be maintained. Well, there are several ways to maintain eye health that you can do. With healthy eyes, you can see clearly and carry out your daily routine more comfortably.
Every activity that is carried out daily, cannot be separated from the role of the eye as a sense of sight. Although its function can decrease with age, you can still make various efforts to maintain eye health and prevent various eye diseases.
How to Maintain Eye Health
Given the importance of eye function, there are several things you can do to maintain eye health, including:
1. Check your eyes regularly
Everyone, from children to the elderly, is recommended to have their eyes checked regularly at least every 2 years. Adults who are over 40 years old are even advised to have their eyes checked once a year.
It aims to prevent eye diseases associated with age, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Through eye examinations, doctors can monitor eye conditions and detect early eye problems due to certain diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
In addition, an eye examination is also important if you have a history of eye disease that is passed down genetically from parents to children. Thus, handling steps can be carried out quickly and precisely.
2. Eat nutritious food
To maintain eye health, you are advised to eat nutritious foods that are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Some of the nutrients above are known to ward off age-related eye problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. You can get these nutrients by eating green vegetables, salmon, tuna, eggs, nuts, and oranges.
3. Avoid using the device for too long
Staring at the computer screen or smartphone too long can cause eye fatigue. Symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, shoulder and back pain, dry eyes, and blurred vision.
If you work at a computer all day, give your eyes a break by looking away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. You can also rest your eyes for 15 minutes every 2 hours.
If your eyes feel dry, you can blink frequently or use eye drops.
4. Avoid exposure to ultraviolet rays
Not only skin, eyes also need to be protected from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. This is because eyes that are too often exposed to ultraviolet light are more at risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal burns, and even eye cancer.
Therefore, it is recommended that you wear sunglasses that can protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays or use a wide-brimmed hat when you are active during the day.
5. Stop the habit smoke
Smoking can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and damage to the optic nerve which can cause blindness and damage the retina of the eye. Therefore, if you are an active smoker, stop smoking from now on.
6. Be careful when using make up
make up Liquid or cream forms are generally susceptible to bacterial growth if they are not used for too long. Therefore, discard and replace make up you if it's been 3 months of use. Also avoid sharing each other's makeup tools.
Also, make sure to wash your face thoroughly before and after using it make up. If you experience irritation or eye infection when wearing make up, remove makeup and immediately consult a doctor.
7. Exercise regularly
A study revealed that exercise can reduce the risk of eye disease and even lower the risk of vision loss due to high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
In addition to the various ways above, you are also recommended to avoid the habit of reading in the dark. When reading, keep the distance between your eyes and the book or reading object as much as 25-30 cm, including when you are reading while lying down.
How to maintain eye health can also be done by not ignoring various eye problems. However, if the eye complaints persist or the eye feels sore, swollen, and causes your vision to be impaired, don't hesitate to immediately consult a doctor.