Without a doubt, our eyes are the most important part of our body. This is because of the multitude of functions that our sense of eyesight has for us. We use it to navigate our way around without bumping into things in our way and helps us easily identify items that we see and hold. Unfortunately, our eyes are also one of the most overused components in our body because of the kind of fatigue and disregard we often place on them. When we damage our eyes, it will generally cause a lot of mental and physical problems.
How do we hurt our eyes?
First, we must understand the anatomy of our eyes and their respective functions. All of the parts of our eyes must work together for us to achieve a clear vision.
- Cornea – this is the part of the eye where a layer of transparent tissue that helps in focusing light covering the front of our eyes.
- Iris and Pupil – The iris is the part of the eye that is colored which controls the pupil. The opening in the middle of the eye is called the pupil which regulates the amount of light that enters the eye.
- Tear Ducts – The tear ducts are located at the corner of each eye which drains tears to the surface of the eye which is produced by the lacrimal gland. The function of the tear duct for the tears to clear the eyes of dust and debris and keeps the cornea moist.
- Optic Nerve – The optic nerve is composed of a thick group of nerve fibers that are connected to the back of the eyes which sends visual information to the brain from the retina.
- Retina and Lens – The lens is the part of the eye which is situated behind the pupil. The lens help reflect light onto the retina which then sends electric signals of an image to the optic nerve.
There are so many ways we are unconsciously damaging our eyes. This is due to the frequent exposure to too much sunlight and radiation from daily life. We also succumb our eyes to too much strain from staring at our computer screens for extended periods at work. We also damage it by reading in low light, and the food we eat also affects our eye health. Over time, these small circumstances will eventually inflict serious damages to our eyes.
What kind of problems happen when we damage our eyes?
When we cause damage to any parts of our eyes, it can cause significant problems with our vision.
Below are some common eye conditions:
- Cataract – This condition happens when our lenses become cloudy, which would cause blurriness or tinted visions. Cataract is usually a problem that is common among older people and is usually reported by seeing “haloes” around the objects they are staring at. However, this can be removed using surgery which replaces the original lens with an artificial one.
- Glaucoma – This is especially common in diabetic patients. Glaucoma is when there is a fluid pressure in the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma generally is the culprit for gradual blindness in most patients.
- Dry Eye Syndrome – Dry Eye Syndrome happens when there is a lack of tears for the tear duct or eyelids to flush out germs and debris from the eyes. People who have to take certain medications may cause this and is usually felt by experiencing pain and blurred vision in the eyes.
- Macular Degeneration – This is a condition commonly caused by old age and happens to people who are 60 years and above. This is when the cells of the macula become slowly damaged causing blurry vision in the center of the vision and eventually blindness
- Conjunctivitis – This condition is caused when an infection happens in the eye because of exposure to certain irritants or allergies. The tissue along the back of the eyelids which surrounds the sclera gets inflamed causing the eyes to turn pinkish red.
- Presbyopia – This is a condition wherein even when an object is at a reasonable distance, you still lose the ability to see it clearly. Presbyopia usually happens when you start to age. Usually, some remedies for this is to buy reading glasses, or use contact lenses. If the problem is serious, LASIK or laser eye surgery can be used to restore vision.
- Astigmatism – This is a condition caused by a malfunctioning cornea. It causes blurriness for all distances.
How to take care of your eyes without surgery?
Even with the kind of stress that we put our eyes through, there are still ways to remedy this without resorting to surgery. Below are some suggestions on how to take care of your eyes and extend the sharpness of your vision.
- Eat healthy foods – by eating more leafy and green vegetables, we put more vitamins and nutrients into our body and in turn keeps our eyes healthy. Moreover, eating foods that contain vitamin E and C, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and zinc can help reduce the risk of problems that lead to blindness and blurry vision.
2. Stop bad habits like smoking – puffing cigarettes are one way to shorten your overall lifespan. For your eyes, constant smoking can more likely damage your optic nerve, get cataracts and macular degeneration
3. Taking a break from the computer or phone screens – when you stare at your computer or phone screen for long periods, it can cause blurry visions, eye strain, dry eyes, and even headaches. Try taking a break from staring at them too long like closing your eyes every 20 minutes or so.
4. Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from extreme sunlight and exposure to dust – When you’re outside, make sure to use the right kind of sunglasses to shade your eyes from the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. When you’re exposed to excessive UV, it will increase the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
5. Schedule visits with your eye doctor – It is important to regularly have your eyes checked to protect your eyesight as well as to help you identify any problems with your eyes.
Love reading this article? Share it on your social media account by clicking the icons below.