How to Protect Your Eyes and Vision

There are many simple, natural ways to protect your eyes: gradually expose yourself to the sun , eat fruits and vegetables, avoid spending too much time in front of the computer, avoid overusing contact lenses, and watch TV from a safe distance. On the other hand, among the growing eye problems is dry eye syndrome. It's a constant discomfort, like having a speck in your eye, and redness that can lead to chronic inflammation. It used to be a condition of the elderly, but now it affects young people too, especially during the pandemic, considering the number of hours they have to spend following distance learning from home . But even before Covid-19, excessive use of computers and similar electronic devices was a cause of eye problems. Red eyes, burning eyes, difficulty focusing: our eyes are paying the heavy price of excessive exposure to computers, PCs, tablets, and smartphones. A syndrome that puts as many as 70 million workers at risk. It's a disease that can easily be avoided with a few simple precautions and natural remedies . As a study by Focus Clinics finds , smartphones may be at the root of the growing number of permanent vision problems in children, adolescents, and young adults . Electromagnetic waves are therefore not the only reason to reduce the use of the latest generation of cell phones.

Index of topics

Smartphones and cell phones

The research data shows that from 1997 to today, the number of young people suffering from myopia has increased by 35%, a percentage that could rise further to 50% within the next 10 years . The reason for this worsening of vision is primarily due to the tendency to hold smartphones too close to the eyes: as the study shows, the distance between the eyes and the phone is typically 18 to 30 cm, a distance too close to protect eyesight. And the problem especially affects children and adolescents , the heaviest smartphone users and beyond. The eyesight of children aged 7 and up, in addition to the time spent playing with smartphones, must also be accounted for by the excessive hours spent in front of the TV, the internet, and video games.

Desktop

Beware of the dangers that lurk behind the technologies so. Likewise, spending many hours in front of the computer can cause vision problems. This is because it screen The image of PCs and other electronic devices we use daily presents a discrete and discontinuous image. It is also characterized by continuous alternations of lights different ones that strain the eyes in an attempt to capture as much as possible. But that's not all. There are also others factors which are able to influence in negative our sight: the degree of lighting of the room where we work and the stance adopted in front of the PC. For all these reasons, if you spend most of the day in front of the screen try to have an eye exam at least every two years. If you suffer from diabetes, immune system diseases, hypertension or other vascular diseases it is a good idea to visit an ophthalmologist at least once a 6 months. Apart from the more serious vision problems, it often happens that due to the use of computers, smartphones and tablets, at the end of the day we find ourselves with eyes red and tired. So here are some simple advice useful for protecting your eyesight and preventingvisual fatigue:

Every 45 minutes, take a break from the screen and treat yourself to a break.
If you bring the contact lenses, to combat dry eyes, occasionally resort to artificial lacrime
If you bring the glasses know that there are some special lenses specifically designed to ensure clear, sharp and comfortable vision for those who, for work reasons, have to spend all day in front of a screen.
Periodically try to read and look far away Closing one eye at a time. If you notice that your vision is worse with one eye than the other, don't waste time and see your doctor immediately for a fundus exam.
When you look at the television keep a distance of at least three meters from the screen.
Don't use any screens in bed, especially before falling asleep.
If you read a book in bed, the light coming from the bedside table should be bright and directed onto the pages.
Drinking is beneficial, as the eye is composed of tissues, such as the cornea and vitreous, which are 90 percent water. Significant dehydration can cause the vitreous to contract, making it more susceptible to tears. It also reduces the production of healthy tears.

The posture

Finally, don't underestimate the posture you should maintain in front of the PC.

Check thetable height and try to sit with your back firmly against the back of the chair and your feet flat on the floor.
Also keep a correct distance from the screen because this is the only way to prevent eye strain.
Finally, make sure the environment is warm enough. light: the darkness strains the eyes.

Eye protection in summer

The riskiest season for eye protection is summer, when the sun is blazing, the light is more intense, and you need to be wary of the potential damage from ultraviolet rays. For this reason, it's advisable, for example:

Wear sunglasses often
The lenses must be of excellent quality
Don't look directly at the sun
Avoid exposing yourself to the sun during the central hours of the day
Wear a hat on the beach to protect yourself from the reflections of the sand and the sea
Drink plenty of water: The tissues of the eye are made up of 90 percent water.
Always wear goggles in the swimming pool and, if necessary, also at the beach

Don't rub your eyes

Keratoconus, a specific eye and vision disorder, is sometimes hereditary and causes the cornea to thin, taking on a cone-like shape and gradually protruding outward from the eye. This disorder can be exacerbated by excessive rubbing of the eyes, whether when we're tired or simply feel itchy.

Proper nutrition

The eyes, like many other organs, can suffer from degenerative cellular stress, linked to certain diseases, some of which are very serious. Scientific discoveries, even very recent ones, tell us that the risks of these phenomena can be mitigated with certain prevention choices . First and foremost, at the table. Coenzyme Q10, found in fish, vitamin C, abundant in citrus fruits, and vitamin E, found in vegetable oils, are all effective. Furthermore, natural resources for maintaining good eyesight include certain minerals such as zinc, copper, and cocoa. Finally, beta-carotene is considered valuable for reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

The 20-20-20 rule

A very effective natural method for protecting your eyesight is the 20-20-20 rule . In practice: for every 20 minutes of close-up vision (like when we're at work or studying on the computer), focus on an object 20 feet (equivalent to six meters) away for 20 seconds . Then blink and squeeze your eyes for two seconds to redistribute the tear film over the eye.

Adjust the lighting

Aside from proper use of smartphones and computers, including taking breaks, it's important to adjust the lighting to avoid eye strain. It's always best to have the light source behind you to prevent blindness. Secondly, it's best to avoid poorly ventilated rooms, especially those where cigarette smoke gathers . Finally, when necessary and when your eye doctor recommends it, wear glasses without unnecessary resistance.

How to use contact lenses

Millions of people use contact lenses to correct vision problems (primarily nearsightedness and farsightedness) and protect their eyes. But they must be used with due precautions.

Limit the amount of time you wear them; you can't wear them all day. And remove them a few hours before bed.
Use only contact lenses prescribed by your doctor., and never those of others. Each contact lens has its own characteristics (it's not just about diopters), and the doctor knows which ones are best for his patient.
Always clean lens cases before storing them and replace them frequently.
If you have to wear makeup, put on your contact lenses before you start.
Remember that disposable contact lenses cannot be reused.
Always visit your eye doctor to choose the type of contact lenses (for example, soft or rigid) best suited to your eyes.
Wash your hands before putting in and taking out contact lenses.
Keep a spare pair of glasses in case you have problems with your contact lenses. Glasses, in fact, remain the essential tool for correcting vision problems.

Applying makeup without risking your eyes

Makeup, as such, isn't a source of eye damage, but it's important to be aware that some cosmetic products contain allergenic or irritating substances, such as nickel. So, the first thing to do is choose quality products of certified origin. Among the products with the highest levels of allergenic substances are blue, green, and black eyeshadows, which contain cobalt, chromium oxide, and carbon, respectively. These are all heavy metals that can cause photodermatitis. And here we come to the other two tips: Avoid makeup when it's not necessary (for example, when going to the beach) and carefully remove all traces of it in the evening, after washing your hands thoroughly and before going to bed. In short, the three fundamental rules for applying makeup properly to protect your eyesight are:

Remove makeup completely without leaving residue in the eyes.
Limit the makeup area: do not use the pencil on the inside of the lower eyelid.
Choosing quality products and beware of counterfeit cosmetics.

Glasses for driving

When driving, you should always wear glasses (or contact lenses) if prescribed by your doctor. The important thing is that they have certain features.

Shatterproof lenses and sturdy frames. A sudden impact or airbag deployment could shatter your eyes, posing serious eye risks.
Sunglasses are essential not only for UV protection, but also for safer driving: they reduce glare caused by the sun's rays and shield your eyes from wind and dust.
The most suitable sunglasses for driving have brown, dark green, or gray lenses.
Finally, when driving, it's important to be careful how you use elastic bands and hooks to secure luggage to the roof rack: unfortunately, eye injuries caused by losing control of these objects are common.

How to protect your eyes when riding a bike

Dust, pollen, insects, and pebbles: these are all things that can strike a cyclist while pedaling. Add to that the speed of movement accelerates tear evaporation, which can lead to irritation or redness. What to do? The remedy is actually quite simple: wear a pair of wraparound sunglasses .

Eye strain

Spending too much time in front of a screen, even if inappropriately, without taking breaks, overloads the muscles of the eyeball and risks eye strain, a very common disorder. Its symptoms are:

Eye redness
Burning eyes
Sensation of sand in the eyes
Tearing
Light sensitivity
Swelling or redness at the edges of the eyelids
Blurred vision

Glaucoma in Italy

Among eye diseases and their degeneration, the most common in Italy are glaucoma , macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The former accounts for 550 confirmed cases, but there are an estimated 800 more, and 240 Italians have lost their sight due to glaucoma. Degenerative macular degeneration affects one million people, 13 percent of whom are over the age of 85. Diabetic retinopathy, finally, affects people with diabetes, and there are one million cases in Italy.

How to protect your eyes when using computers or smartphones