Eye Care in Oman: Be Proactive About Your Eyes

Lifestyle Saturday 23/April/2016 19:33 PM
By: Times News Service
Eye Care in Oman: Be Proactive About Your Eyes

There are plenty of simple things you can do each day to keep your sight in shape. Here are a few easy ways.
Take a Break from the Computer
Nowadays most of us spend almost 6-8 hours in front of our computer screens. So if you working all day on a computer, it is important that you take ample breaks in between. Eye specialists say that every 20 minutes, it is important to look 20 feet away or more for at least 20 seconds which relieves the eye strains. Constantly working on computer causes problems of dry eyes as we tend to blink less when focusing our eyes on the screen.
Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays
While we use sunscreen creams to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the UV rays we often forget the fact that UV light exposure can have severe harmful effect to our eyes. So while you are out in the sun make sure to wear sunglasses that has 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection. Choose sunglasses that block 99 per cent to 100 per cent of both UVA and UVB rays. While driving use polarised lenses to reduce glare. Children who play out frequently should also be told to stay away from the direct rays of the sun.
Regular Eye Check Up is Must
It is important to go for regular eye examination. Eye specialists say that children should have their first eye exam between the ages of 6 and 12 months as early detection is vital. Many children face learning problems owing to their visual defects which remain undiagnosed if not checked early. Adults, especially those who are 40 and above should have yearly eye examination. Conditions like macular degeneration in which a part of the retina deteriorates, cataract, and glaucoma are commonly found. If you have a family history of eye related problems, or diabetic, then it’s all the more important to check your eye sight. Also while going for check up it is essential to keep the optometrist or ophthalmologist updated on your medical history. If you have hypertension, diabetes or any other conditions do alert your doctor.
Quit Smoking
Smoking not only affects our lungs, it affects our eyes too. Cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration can occur if you are a chain smoker. Apart from this, smoking also causes dry eyes, and othet eye inflammation. So stop smoking now and if you had been a smoker so far make sure you go for an annual comprehensive eye examination.
Eating for Good Eye Health
While eating a balanced diet is important for our health, the food on our plates also play an important role in protecting our eyes. Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E, are essential for good eye health. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, carrots, fish like salmon and tuna, citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, and beans all are essential for good vision. [email protected]