Eye Care Information - Eye Care Facts - Eye Care Treatments
You only get one pair of eyes to last a lifetime so looking after them is important.
Anatomy of the eye
A human eye gives the sharpest vision when it is perfectly spherical, that is, round like a basketball. Distortion occurs when the eyeball is too short from front to back (Hyperopia) or too long (Myopia), or the curvature of the cornea is irregular, egg shaped rather than a perfect sphere (astigmatism).
How the eye works
Light from object A is focused by the cornea and crystalline lens to form an upside-down image on the light-sensitive cells of the retina. Information is transmitted as impulses from these cells to the brain via the optic nerve. The quantity of light entering the eye is regulated by the iris. The pupil is the variable-sized black circular opening in the center of the iris.
Computer use and your eyes
Many in our workforce spend the majority of their work day in front of a computer screen. And, nearly 90% of those working at a video display terminal experienced some form of vision problems as a result. Symptoms that are related to computer use are:
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Difficulty focusing after working at a computer
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Dry, itchy and/or irritated eyes
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There are also environmental factors that increase computer-related eye strain:
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Bright lights in your peripheral vision can be distracting.
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Reflected light on your computer screen can cause a glare, decreasing the contrast of the screen character.
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Practice Disease Prevention
Disease of the eye is the number one cause of blindness. Most diseases that cause blindness, like glaucoma and diabetes, can be treated or their progression slowed down with the proper diagnosis and management. While there is no cure for some eye conditions, there have been major medical advances for age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. By visiting your eye doctor on a regular basis, you can catch any eye problems in their early stage when they are easier to treat.
Protect Your Eyes From the Sun's Harmful Rays
Constant exposure to ultraviolet light can damage your eyes. Too much exposure increases pigmentation in the eye, causing a discoloration known as "brown" or "sunshine" cataracts. Some eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, have been linked to UV exposure.
How Do I Protect My Eyes During Allergy Season?
Because seasonal allergies are most often caused by plant life that releases pollen into the air, they can be difficult to avoid. Nevertheless, there are some approaches that you can take to help lessen your allergy symptoms:
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Pay attention to the pollen reports. Your local weather channel or weather-related Internet site regularly gives the pollen counts for your area of the country. When pollen counts are high, restrict your outdoor activities when possible.
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Have someone else mow your grass when possible.
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Limit your exposure to wooded areas.
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Close your doors and windows and use your air conditioning during warmer months. However, because allergens are spread through the air, they can be circulated throughout the house through the air conditioning's filter. If you have severe reactions to pollens, the use of air conditioning may not be wise if flare-ups are severe during this time.
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Consider purchasing a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. These filter systems are very effective at removing allergens from the air in your room or house.
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Taking these preventive measures is often just the first step to controlling seasonal allergies. For many people, the next step is discussing with their doctor possible medications to help relieve their symptoms. There are many effective medications to help eliminate allergy symptoms, and by making a trip to the doctor for an eye allergy evaluation, he or she can prescribe the correct medication to help prevent irritation or itchiness from occurring.
Over-the-counter medication can also be purchased to help an eye allergy sufferer with mild symptoms. The medicine is usually less expensive than prescription medications and can clear up mild irritation. Eye drops are also available that can help wash out the eyes. The drops usually contain antihistamines and decongestants that help calm eye allergies.
Are there any home remedies that can improve poor eyesight?
For decades we have heard anecdotal information on how blueberries help aid eyesight. Royal Air Force (RAF) bomber pilots in World War II were reported to consume blueberries to help night vision. Other studies in Israel and Eastern Europe have confirmed that blueberries help eyesight. But, a recent study in Japan has scientifically documented the benefits of blueberries to help reduce eyestrain. All over Japan, consumers buy small vials of blueberry juice to obtain the benefits. An editorial cartoon was published in the Asahi Shibun, the leading newspaper in Japan encouraging blueberry use by office workers. The Japan study showed that blueberry consumption reduced eyestrain and improved weak eyesight. Most believe that the substance, anthocyanin in the blue pigment of the blueberry is responsible for the eyesight improvement.
Are there any home remedies for an eye infection?
Although many doctors and pharmacists will advise you not to use home remedies, a solution of boric acid is a home remedy that has been used for decades to treat minor eye irritations, infections, and sties. I've used it myself with good results.
You can get boric acid in powder form at most good pharmacies. Mix 1 tsp powder in 1 pint of boiled water and let it cool completely before using. To keep the solution as sterile as possible, I always wash my utensils with very hot soapy water and rinse very well with hot water and allow to air dry before using. (I don't wipe them dry, since germs could be transferred from a dishtowel, even if clean.)
Keep the solution in a closed glass or plastic container. Use it with an eye cup or eye dropper several times a day. I don't know if it's necessary, but I only keep the solution for three days and then make a fresh batch if needed.
Please note: If use of the boric acid solution produces ANY prolonged irritation (though I've never heard of this happening), discontinue immediately and seek medical attention. Or, if the condition persists despite use of the boric acid, get to the doctor. Eyes are funny and susceptible to many infections, and you don't want to risk your eyesight.