Eye Care

“Mandatory eye test for children has reduced the rate of eye problems,” says Dr. K.L. Narayana.
In recent times due to awareness programmes and mandatory eye tests, eye-related problems have come down. Specially teenagers in the age group of 18-20 years are more prone to eye problems because of negligence. As the person ages, eye-related problems also increase. So a regular eye check-up is advised. Free eye check-up and treatment camps are held at rural, hobli and taluk levels,” says Dr. K.L. Narayana.
The most common symptoms of eye problems are, focu-sing on distant objects, weaker eyesight, irritation and dryness in eyes and double vision.
Advice for computer users
Nowadays, more people are spending long hours of time staring at the computer screen, as a result of which they experience problems in their eyesight, called Computer Vision Syndrome, having the following acute symptoms.
• Tears, eyestrain, eye fatigue and irritation in the eyes.
• Headaches because of eye strain.
• Blur or double vision.
Steps to ease:
• Blink often.
• Take a regular break and rest for ten minutes during every hour.
• Focus on distant objects for a few minutes.
• Don’t focus for long periods.
• Improve the lighting around your monitor.
• Sit at least 18-28 inches away from the screen.
• Tilt the monitor slightly below eye level.
Eye exercises:
• Sit relaxingly, inhale. Without turning your head, look right, left, above, down, as far as possible.
• To ease stress and tension: Sit down, breathe normally, and concentrate on a spot at the tip of nose for a period of ten seconds.
• Sit straight and slowly inhale rolling eyes to the right and top in a circular movement.
• Taking a deep breath, roll eyes clockwise and anti-clockwise, close and gradually open eyes releasing breath.
• To avoid tiredness of eyes, rub the palms and keep the warm palms on tired eyes. It helps to ease and relax. Do this 3-4 times for 80 seconds.
• After lunch take a walk for few minutes. It helps the eyes to get fresh air.
Dos and don’ts
• Never rub your eyes. If any dirt enters, do not rub eyes, it may cause the dirt to stick inside, disturbing your vision and irritating your eyes. Blinking is a good exercise to the eyes.
• Use protective sunglasses or eyeglasses to prevent exposure to ultraviolet light and to avoid foreign bodies entering the eyes.
• Don’t splash water when there is irritation.
• Self-medication should not be done.
• Have frequent check-ups with optician to keep your eyes healthy.
Diet: • Take foods which are rich in Vitamins A, C and E.
• Eat fruits, green leaves, tomatoes, papaya, mangoes, eggs, fish, milk, cilantro
• Have carrot and cucumber between meals.
• Obesity, diabetics increase the risk of eye diseases.
Tips for eye care
• For glowing eyes, use two drops of pure rose water.
• Milk is a natural cleanser. Dip cotton in milk and place it over the eyes for some time.
• To avoid eye wrinkles and dark circles put a slice of cucumber or potato on eyelids.
• A person using contact-lenses should not wear them for more than 10-12 hours a day.
• For red and itchy eyes, massage scalp with curd.
When to see a doctor: When you have any persistent problem while reading, writing, using computer or during hand-eye activities etc, consult a doctor.
This also includes frequent drowsiness; blurring of the vision; headaches; fatigue, aching and tears in eye; double vision; frequently rubbing eyes and so on.
If any one has an eye problem or has any inflammation in the eyes, he should immediately consult a doctor.
[Wednesday 18th March 2009]