How to prevent common eye diseases and defects
By David Olajide
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Your eyes are among the most important senses. Greater percentage of what you perceive comes through your sense of sight. By properly caring for your eyes, the chances of you reducing the odds of blindness and vision loss is very high and you are also staying on top of any possibility of developing eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Your eyes like other organs of your body are subject to preventable and unnecessary stress and injury and can lose their full potential if proper care is not taken of the eyes.
It is a fact that eyes are the most delicate organ in the human body, therefore they need special care and attention.
Common eye disorders and diseases are:
- Refractive error
- Age – related muscular degeneration
- Cataract
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaocama
- Amblyopia
- Strabismus
Avoiding Common Eye Problems and Defects
There are many modifiable life style factors that contribute to sight loss sharp sight impairment and every one must take responsibility to reduce the risk of avoidable problems and defects.
Research on eye revealed that, there are more than 200 eye conditions, ranging from common problems (e.g. dry eye disease (DED), cataracts vernal kerato-conjunctivities). It is also a hiding fact to know that some of these conditions are non-symptomatic and can cause loss of sight before patients even realize what is happening.
Taken UK as a case study. A statistical report revealed that over 1.8 million people in the UK are living with significant sight loss out of which 50% are avoidable. Therefore preventable sight loss should be taken as a health priority.
Below are the ways to avoid eye problems and defects
- Abstain from Alcohol Consumption
Research has revealed that persistent alcohol consumption can lead to dry eye disease (DED), a condition where the eyes cannot produce enough tears or the tears dry up too quickly leading to the dryness of the eyes and irritation of the eye lenses. Symptoms of DED include:
- Visual disturbance
- Watery eyes
- Irritation
- Grittiness (the feeling that there is a sand in the eye)
- Soreness
- Burning Sensitizer
Abstinence from alcohol consumption goes a long way to prevent and ameliorate this condition.
- Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoke has been shown to have link with the formation of cataracts. It has also linked to diabetic retinopathy (the blockage of the blood vessels at the back of the eye), DED and glaucoma (a condition affecting the optic nerve).
- Keep eyes away from sun- rays
Exposing the eyes to ultraviolet (uv) light from the sun can pose a great danger to eye health. Eye conditions such as cataracts and cancer may arise as a result of over exposure of eyes to the UV light from the sun.
Most of the brands of glasses prescribed to patients now contain au.v filter. A standard sunglasses with adequate uv protection are recommended for those that their work make them to work inside the sun.
- Cut down (reduce) your exposure to computer and other related gadget screens
Over exposure of the eyes to computer and other related gadgets such as android phones could result to a CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome). The symptoms of CVS are divided into four categories.
- Visual blur (difficulty focusing)
- Dry or Painful Eyes
- Eye Strain
- Other ocular symptoms
Sharp reduction of your screen time or using anti-glare devices keep reduces your risk of having CVS. Lastly, having regular sight tests and screenings could prevent blindness if any of the condition is detected and treated early.