The common saying “The eyes are the windows of the soul” simply means that just by looking through somebody’s eyes one is able to understand what the other person may be feeling or thinking at that particular time. While this may be true, in reality, our eyes play a more vital role to our existence in the world than just helping us understand what a person is feeling at the moment. They are in fact, our windows to the world.
We do everything with the use of our eyes and that is why it is important for our general well-being and effective functioning as healthy and normal individuals that we keep our eyes healthy and well taken care of. Our eyes, however, are very delicate and require extra care.
Here are some tips on how to care for your eyes and make sure they remain healthy.
1. Do not strain your eyes unnecessarily. Use adequate lighting when you read and try to avoid sitting too close to the television set. Avoid working in a room that is dimly lit. Make sure that your computer monitor is at least 20 to 28 inches from your eyes and at a 10 or 20 degree angle.
2. When playing sports wear appropriate eye protection: Use goggles when you go skiing and when you play basketball, and helmets with a face mask when you engage in such sports as football and baseball where the force of the game or ball can hit and damage your goggles.
3. Never look directly into a bright light or directly at the sun with your naked eyes or with the use of binoculars or a telescope as this may injure your eyes and even cause blindness.
4. Avoid getting soap, sunscreen, moisturizer, make-up or other products not intended for your eyes in your eyes as this may cause itchiness and severe irritation.
5. If you accidentally or unexpected feel something has entered your eye and is causing discomfort or pain, never rub your eye as this foreign particle may scratch the surface of your eye and cause tearing.
6. If your eyes are bothering you and you feel some pain or pressure on them or your vision is blurring for reasons unknown to you, immediately go to an appropriate professional like an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. To differentiate, an ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in that branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, functions, pathology, and treatment of the eye; while an optometrist is a licensed professional who is trained to examine the eyes for visual defects and impairments with the end in view of prescribing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses or to provide other forms of treatment.
7. Never use another person’s prescription eye medicine or prescription glasses. Bear in mind that these were prescribed to this person to correct a defect or eye problem he may have. You may not have the same problem and to use his prescription medicine may work more against you than help you.
8. Don’t stare at a computer or television screen for long, uninterrupted periods of time. Take a break from staring at the screen and exercise your eyes. Take regular breaks and blink often. Also focus your eyes on objects that are different distances from you.
9. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, a visor and sunglasses that absorb UV radiation if you have plans of staying under the bright sun for long periods of time. Try and stay under a shady spot or use an umbrella.
10. Eat a well-balanced diet that contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and carrots, and fruits such as apples, pears and oranges offer nutrients that are good for your eyes.
11. Like any part of our body, our eyes need rest. A sufficient amount of sleep is necessary for strong, healthy eyes and vision.
12. Visit an eye doctor regularly at the very least once a year. As you age, it becomes even more important for you to have your eyesight and vision tested regularly by a doctor.