Wednesday, 2 November 2011

MAINTAINING HEALTHY EYES

MAINTAINING HEALTHY EYES

Eyesight degradation will affect almost everyone during the process of ageing. However, the process of eye detriment can be slowed down with the help of certain techniques such as refocusing your eyes often, avoiding unnecessarily straining your eyes and wearing sunglasses in the sunlight especially in summer.
Moreover, you can also prevent sight loss by consuming vitamins and minerals on a regular basis. Fruits, vegetables and fortified cereals make a good source of Vitamins A, C and E. These three vitamins are important for maintaining good eyesight and they should be consumed on a daily basis.
Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids are important for your retinal health and you should consume fish oils in order to provide your body with the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is one particular omega-3 fatty acid that has been found to improve your colour perception.
You can incorporate fish oils into your regular dietary routine by consuming fish or taking fish oil supplements.
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is an important nutrient that is vital to the health of your eyes. It helps produce rodopsin that is necessary for dark adaptation. It helps maintain the natural structural integrity of the cornea, retina and other eye tissues. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to numerous ophthalmological disorders especially xerophthalmia and night blindness.
Xerophthalmia is a serious condition of eye that might lead to blindness. This disease affects the cells of cornea and tear ducts. Night blindness makes it nearly impossible to see in relatively low light. This condition occurs due to inability of retina to respond to the light due to vitamin A deficiency.
The rich dietary sources of vitamin A are fish, fish oils, liver, nuts, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. These food items contain carotenoids which are converted into retinol by your body.
The dryness of eyes is caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye. Eyes contain special glands that produce tears. Tears are a combination of special proteins, antibodies, mucus, oil and water. Antibodies in tears help protect eyes against infections, oil helps in lubrication and water gives a moist sensation to your eyes.
The symptoms of dry eyes include itching, redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and gritty sensation. There are numerous factors that may lead to dry eyes. They include aging, menopause, diseases that affect the ability to make tears, eye diseases, structural problems with eyelids, side effects of certain medications, collagen vascular diseases and environmental conditions such as heat.
Dry eyes can be treated with artificial tear drops, permanent punctal occlusion and surgery. There are numerous prescription eye-drops available on the market, which help your eyes increase their own tear production. Other medications such as tropical steroids and ointments can also be used to keep dry eyes lubricated. You can also use a supplement that helps maintain the health of your eyes.
It is also advised therefore to consume an effective broad spectrum, antioxidant and one-a-day multinutrient tablet that contains vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, and E minerals. Vitamin A helps maintain the health of your eyes and skin. B vitamins help release energy from food and boost your immune system. Vitamins C and E act as antioxidants and help destroy free radicals in your body. Vitamin D strengthens your bones and helps absorb calcium.

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