Jeepers Peepers! Look at those Eyes!

We all know our eyesight is of utmost importance. What would you do if could no longer see? The question really makes you think, doesn’t it? As we go through life there can be changes that occur to our eyes that cause us not to see as clearly as we did before. Some causes can be aging, hormonal changes, and pregnancy. So, what can we do? Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts.

Don’t Smoke! Harmful chemicals from smoking cause inflammation which damages the small vessels of the eyes. Smokers are more likely to get cataracts and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disease that affects central vision which is the sight used in reading; and that lets us recognize faces. We don’t know about you; but recognizing our family or our own faces in a mirror is pretty darn important to us.

Wear Shades! We hear all the time about wearing sunscreen to protect our skin. Sunglasses help protect our eyes in much the same way by blocking the sun’s UV rays. Like smoking, exposure to the sun can cause cataracts and macular degeneration over time. Lens color and cost don’t determine sunglasses effectiveness. Get a pair that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Don’t forget to wear them!

Back away from the Computer! Most of us know that staring at a computer for hours can cause eyestrain; but did you know that in the past three decades nearsightedness (myopia) has increased 66 percent. Some experts say one reason could be the increase in computer usage. The experts don’t really know what causes nearsightedness; however, some believe it could be the result of too much close-up work like reading, looking at a computer screen, or texting on your cell phone. For most of us looking at a computer screen or a cell phone is a big part of our lives. So what do we do? Adjust your computer monitor to eye level. If it’s too high you have to open your eyes wider to look up causing more drying effects. Position the screen away from a window to avoid glare. Use desk lamps instead of bright overhead lights. Take a break once every hour; and look away for a few minutes.

Eat Right and Exercise! If we eat a well balanced diet and get plenty of exercise we will reap all kinds of benefits. This goes for our eyes, too. Eating one to two servings a week of nuts rich in omega-3 fatty acids lowers the risk of age-related macular degeneration which is a leading cause of blindness. Regular exercise also helps to decrease this risk along with helping to prevent diabetes which can affect eyesight. Get moving three or more times a week.

See your Eye Doctor! Get eye checkups on a regular basis beginning at age 40 if you’ve never had eye problems. Start sooner if you have a history of diabetes or high blood pressure; or if you have a family history of glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. Treatments for eye conditions range from contact lenses to eye drops to surgery. Ask your regular physician for a recommendation if you have a problem; and choose your eye-care professional wisely. Ask your eye doctor when and how often you should get checkups.

We hope you have found these hints and tips informative; and hope you will take care of your eyes. After all, they are the only pair you have!

Proper Lighting Reduces Eyestrain & Computer Vision Syndrome

DON'Ts
Don’t use bright overhead lighting.
Don’t work near a sunny window, if possible.
Don’t work in a dark room.
Don’t use a CRT monitor (television type).
Don’t have bright lights behind your monitor.

DOs
Do use LED lamps. They reduce heat, energy use and eyestrain.
Do use desk lamps. Use adjustable desk lamps placed at the sides of your monitor.
Do close shades. Use dark curtains or move your desk away from window areas, whenever possible.
Do use LCD flat screen monitors. Television type monitors flicker increasing eyestrain.
Do reduce glare. Turn your computer off and see how much glare is on your screen; then reposition to reduce glare as much as possible.
Do take a break. Use a digital timer to remind yourself to take a break. Mayo Clinic says A good rule of thumb is to follow the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take your eyes off your computer and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Do reduce your screen's brightness if you work in a darkened room.
Do clean your screen. Dust and smudges make viewing more difficult.

In today’s workplace many people spend a large part of their work day staring at a computer screen resulting in eyestrain or computer vision syndrome. Eyestrain symptoms may include sore, tired, dry, itchy, burning, or watery eyes. Other signs are sore neck or back, shoulder pain, and blurred or double vision. Eyestrain doesn’t have serious consequences; but it can be very uncomfortable and cause a reduction in your productivity.
Changing your workspace by adding appropriate lighting can really help. If you're reading, writing, or “hunt and peck” typing, use an adjustable desk lamp. LED lamps used below eye level have advantages over incandescent and florescent lamps. Incandescent bulbs are hot and use a lot of electricity. Florescent lighting creates a washed out look; and the ballasts produce a lot of heat. LED lamps use the least amount of energy; and are much cooler than other choices.
Find out more about eyestrain and tips to alleviate it.