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Healthy Eyes and How To Prevent Visual Conditions like Cataracts and Glaucoma

October 17, 2022 By: Loura Chong-Reid

Introduction: What is a Healthy Eye

It's important to take care of your eyes and keep them healthy. We need to make sure that we are not putting our eye health at risk by overworking them or exposing them to unsafe environments. Dry eyes can be caused by many things, but the most common cause is a lack of moisture in the eye. This can happen because of an allergy, environment, or eye disease. Eye strain is more difficult to diagnose because it is a symptom rather than a cause. Eye strain can be caused by using digital devices for long periods of time without taking breaks, staring at something too close for too long (like a computer screen), or even reading in poor light conditions.


There are many different components of eye health. The most important is keeping the eyes moist, which can be done by blinking often and using tear substitutes. Some other ways to maintain eye health are wearing sunglasses, avoiding extended staring at digital devices, reducing the amount of time spent in low light conditions, and refraining from performing activities that require close vision for long periods of time. The location where an eye exam is performed can also be a risk factor for developing certain types of ocular disease or eye problems. For example, people with a history of ocular trauma may be at risk for developing an eye infection, such as a corneal abrasion or ulcer. People who have had their eyes dilated and then sat in front of screens all day may be at risk for developing dry eyes.


How To Prevent Dry Eyes And Maintain Comfort

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that causes the eyes to produce less tears, leading to discomfort and irritation. It can be caused by a number of factors, from age to certain contact lens wear. There are many ways to treat dry eye syndrome and maintain comfort.

The most common treatment for dry eyes is artificial tears, which are available over the counter in pharmacies and online. Artificial tears come in different forms: gel drops, ointment, or a small tube that resembles an eyedropper.

In addition to artificial tears, there are other treatments for dry eyes including punctal plugs which can provide relief when tear ducts become clogged with debris; prescription medications such as Restasis or cyclosporine; steroid eye drops; warm compresses before bedtime; moistening eye pads at night; and oral care products such as L-lysine supplements or omega 3 fatty acids.


Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is an eye condition that is caused by prolonged use of a computer screen. It is characterized by dry eyes, headaches and blurred vision.

The symptoms of CVS are not serious but they can be very uncomfortable and make it hard to work for extended periods of time. It is important to know the symptoms and treatment options for this condition so that you can prevent it from happening or at least manage it better when you do have it. The most common symptoms of CVS are: A feeling that something is crawling under your skin, and sometimes on top of your skin, Itching, flushing, or tingling in the body and limbs. Usually this sensation begins in the head and works its way down to the extremities. Breathing can also feel abnormal at times. A sensation in the head that something is blocking your vision, or that it is cloudy. An abnormal noise when you inhale, a sensation that something is in your eye, such as a feeling of something moving or blinking. An experience of pressure in the head, such as a feeling of fullness or weight. An experience of tingling sensations in the skin, face, arms and legs, or in the back of the head. A feeling of fullness or weight. a tingling sensation in the skin, face, arms and legs, or in the back of the head.


Adapting Your Environment For The Best Eye Health & Comfort

Lighting is one of the most important factors in determining how well we see and how comfortable we are.

It is important to get enough light during the day, but it is also important to have the right amount of light at night. The best lighting for reading and computer use indoors, on a computer screen or tablet, is usually a mix of natural and artificial light. A mix of natural and artificial light is best for a variety of reasons, including: Natural light can help make text easier to read. and images clearer-Natural light can help make a room feel less clinical.


Symptoms of Glaucoma And Cataracts

Glaucoma is known as a disease that affects the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying signals from the retina to the brain, and if it's damaged, you may experience vision loss.

Cataracts are a condition where the lens of your eye becomes cloudy or opaque. This can make it difficult to see in bright light.

Having cataracts or glaucoma can cause some symptoms like blurry vision, halos around lights, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. If you have these symptoms as well as other risk factors like age or family history of eye disease, you should speak to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options for these diseases.  

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