Do you know that some 39 million people around the world suffer from blindness and other vision problems?  Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to protect and preserve your vision.

Before we go any further, let’s first find out what “normal” vision is. Experts measure normal vision with a grade of 20/20. This means that from 20 feet away, a person can clearly see the same lines of letters on a eye-chart as everyone else with normal vision.  

If a person has 20/40 vision, then it mean he or she can clearly see objects from 20 feet away–but normal people can view the same objects from 40 feet away. This means that person is nearsighted.

Other common vision problems are farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and dry eye.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

An eye condition that makes near objects more visible than distant objects. People who have nearsighted parents are more likely to inherit the eye condition.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

This is the opposite of nearsightedness; far away objects are clearer than near objects.

Presbyopia

This is an eye condition that occurs as people age. Presbyopia results in the inability of the eyes to focus up close.

Astigmatism

A condition that makes the objects appear blurry or stretched out.

Dry Eye keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)

This happens when a person’s eyes don’t produce enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Nevertheless, it can be cured by using doctor prescribed eye drops.

Other health conditions can also impair good eyesight. Health problems such as diabetes and hypertension may result in vision loss. Continuous high blood sugar levels can cause blurry vision or difficulty seeing at night. If you experience these problems, visit your doctor for a consultation.

Taking care of your overall well-being is the first step to maintaining  good eyesight. Focusing on one aspect alone of your body doesn’t solve the problem of it. Here are some lifestyle tips that can help you keep a healthy eyesight.

Eat the right food

Eye-friendly food are rich in lutein, vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. These are nutrients your eyes need to stay healthy.  Sources of these nutrients include fish, eggs, leafy greens, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and meat.

Quit smoking

Smokers are more likely to develop cataracts. They also run the risk of vision loss due to nerve damage.

Wear sunglasses

UV rays may cause damage not only to you skin, but also to your eyes.

Use protective eye wear

When playing sports or engaged in potentially hazardous tasks, it is important to protect your eyes. There are several types of protective eyewear suitable for certain activities.

For example, if you’re a mechanic, carpenter, or construction worker, you would need heavy-duty protective goggles. If you’re a swimmer or diver you would need different sorts of goggles.

Those who frequently go out in the sun need glasses or goggles that are coated with a film that block UV (ultra-violet) light. There are also protective goggles designed for use by athletes.

Eat a balanced diet

A balanced diet lowers the risk of getting diabetes and hypertension, conditions that may lead to vision loss.

Know your family history

What types of eye problems run in your family? Knowing this will help you take proper precautions to protect your own eyes.

Rest

It’s very important to give your eyes a rest whenever you work long hours in front of the computer, spending a lot of time looking at your tablet or smartphone. Rest your eyes for at least 20 minutes, or if possible cut down on your computer and gadget use.

Check ups

Have your eyes checked every 1-2 years. Regular checkups are essential in identifying and preventing possible health issues you might have in the future. Visit an eye specialist at ManilaMed so you’ll have more sights to see and enjoy for the rest of your life.