The eyes are the mirror of the body. Unfortunately, we most times spend little time taking proper care of those priced assets. Woman Editor, TEMITOPE DAVID-ADEGBOYE, examines some daily habits that may be detrimental to our sight…
The eyes are undoubtedly the most sensitive and delicate of our sense organs, and perhaps the most amazing. They present us with the window through which we view the world, and are responsible for four-fifth of all the information our brain receives – which is probably why we rely on our eyesight more than any other sense.
Practically, through the eyes, we view the world, assess developments and make judgements. The eyes are considered as the mirror of our personality. They reflect the kind of person we are and use expressions to communicate without words. Most importantly, they help us see the wonders of creation in our everyday life.
Most times, we spend so much caring for the exteriors of the eyes that we neglect to take care of the critical parts. This neglect can be fatal, as it often leads to vision impairment and, in rare cases, permanent loss.
According to Dr. Amaka Madu, an optometrist with Ikeja Medical Centre, understanding and early diagnosis of certain symptoms can help prevent eye problems.
She stated that several daily habits could be seriously injuring the eyes.
“Without knowing or feeling it, your eyes could be slowly deteriorating from abuse. You have to understand the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light, the damage it can cause, and why you need the UV protection from your sunglasses,” she stated
Too close for comfort?
Experts state that the excessive levels of radiation would not harm most viewers who watch a lot of television. However, they did warn against children sitting too close to the television for more than an hour, due to the X-rays shooting through the vents on the bottom of the tube television set.
But with the advent of liquid crystal display (LCD) television sets, the x-rays emitting from bottom of tube television set have been fixed.
Most eye doctors would assure you that watching too much television won’t permanently damage your eyes. However, it’s worth noting a few interesting studies on the subject. Several of these reports have illustrated a link between myopia (nearsightedness) and environment.
Myopia
According to Eyesavers, a non-governmental organisation working to combat eye problems in developing countries, the cornea and the lens are the parts of the eye that focus images. In a normal eye, these parts have a perfect shape and curve. The curve refracts light, so it makes a sharply focused image right on the retina. In a myopic eye, the cornea or lens usually curves too much, causing a refractive error. This causes the light to focus in front of the retina, making far away objects appear blurry.
If you suffer from myopia, you can see nearby objects clearly, but objects far away are out of focus. You might have to squint to see more clearly. Myopia can be slight or severe and is easily treated with corrective glasses or contact lenses.
Proper nutrition will keep your eyes strong and healthy. Remember, when you were a kid and your mom told you that carrots would improve your eyesight? Well, she might be right.
Dealing with eyestrain
Eyestrain is when your eyes get tired from too much use. You can get eyestrain from watching television in a dark room, excessive computer use or even driving. Reading in dim light can contribute to eyestrain as well. Any time you intensely focus your eyes on something for a long period, you’re at risk of eyestrain.
Eyestrain is a short-lived condition that you can treat yourself. For most people, the treatment simply is to rest your eyes. Take regular breaks from intense focus – about five minutes each hour. Blink often to keep your eyes moist.
If your eyes are dry, try some over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears to re-moisten them. Also, ensure your glasses or contact lenses are appropriate and up-to-date for your needs. You can even buy some that are specially suited for computer work.
Dr. Madu submits that understanding diabetes symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
“If you have diabetes, regular visits to your ophthalmologist for eye exams are important to avoid eye problems. Routine eye examinations are important regardless of your age or your physical health. Your sight is your world; don’t patronise quacks,” she said.