Tag: eyes

How do you keep your eyes healthy as you age?

AMD, or Age-related macular degeneration, impacts the macula, affecting vision. Key risk factors include age and genetics, but lifestyle changes can mitigate risks. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, adopt a Mediterranean diet, exercise regularly, maintain healthy weight, protect from UV rays, and have regular eye exams. Stress management is also crucial.

AMD (Age-related macular degeneration)  is a condition that affects the macula. This part of the retina has the greatest density of photoreceptor cells. Age and genetic predisposition are risk factors. However, we can manage our genetic make-up to avoid harming our eyes. We can also do what is good for them. 

Photo by wendel moretti on Pexels.com

Photoreceptor cells cluster together in the center of the retina. This is known as the macula, or “point of sharpest vision.” Those with damaged macula can no longer read. They cannot recognize faces, but they can usually still orient themselves in space.

Avoid smoking, and drink only occasionally

Smoking hurts blood vessels and can make the retina swell up. It raises the risk of AMD by a factor of two to four. This makes it one of the most important risk factors that you can control. Alcohol is bad for your cells and nerves, so you shouldn’t drink too much of it. A lot of cancers are also less likely to happen if you don’t drink.

Pay attention to a healthy diet.

Vegetables, fruit, whole-grain foods, nuts, and seeds with healthy vegetable oils are all part of the Mediterranean diet. Fish should be eaten once in a while. Only a small amount of meat is recommended. This diet has the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and unsaturated fatty acids that the eyes need. In studies, some people took a mix of vitamins, zinc, and copper. They were able to slow down the progression of AMD. Before you take it, talk to your eye doctor about the benefits and any possible side effects.

Make sure you get enough exercise

An early form of AMD is less likely to happen if you work out. A recent overview study that looked at how frequently AMD occurs in active and inactive people demonstrated this. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that you should do moderate aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Also, 20 minutes a day is seen as the minimum for AMD by experts. Motto: More is more.

Watch your weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs.

High blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high levels of fat in the blood can damage the blood vessels. They can also cut off blood flow to the retina. When a person is overweight, inflammatory chemicals from the adipose tissue enter the bloodstream. They also reach the retina, which is a very sensitive part of the eye. Losing weight is a good way to protect not only your eyes but also the rest of your body.

Protect yourself from too much sun

Some studies show that UV radiation can hurt the lens and maybe even the retina. But the results aren’t agreed upon. Sunglasses with large lenses and wide arms that have a UV filter (“UV400”) protect against light coming in.

Go to the ophthalmologist regularly

Ophthalmologists recommend that people over 60 have their eyes checked every three years. In the event of changes and, for example, diabetes, also at shorter intervals.

Do the Amsler test regularly

The Amsler test is a grid of straight lines. If they are distorted or blurred, this can indicate changes in the retina, such as fluid accumulation (edema).

Adhere to the therapy recommendations.

Fluid can build up in the retina. This is a sign of “wet” AMD. An ophthalmologist can use medicine to treat the affected area. He decides how often and how far apart these steps need to be taken.

Stay calm

Stress damages the blood vessels. This leads to a decrease in the blood supply to the eyes. It is not helpful to think that AMD could cause blindness for this reason. Most of the time, residual vision lasts for a long time. With special tools to help them see and read, many people with this condition can stay on their own for a long time.

Effects of Wearing Contact Lenses on Eye Health

Wearing contact lenses can have both positive and negative effects on eye health. While contact lenses can provide a wider field of view, a natural look, and less interference during physical activities, they also require more care and can cause eye infections if not cleaned properly[1][2]. Here are some of the negative effects of wearing contact lenses on eye health over time, based on the search results:

– Oxygen deprivation: Contact lenses cover the cornea of the eye, which can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the eyes. Wearing contact lenses for too long can deprive the eyes of oxygen, which can lead to pain, blurred vision, and other problems[2][3][4].
– Dry eyes: Contact lenses can absorb the natural tears in the eyes, leading to dry eyes. This can cause discomfort, itchiness, and redness[2][5][4].
– Eye infections: Wearing contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections, especially if they are not cleaned properly or washed with unclean hands. Serious eye infections can lead to blindness and affect up to one out of every 500 contact lens users per year[1][6][7].
– Corneal abrasions: Contact lenses can scratch the surface of the cornea, leading to corneal abrasions. This can cause pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision[8].
– Changes in corneal thickness and shape: Long-term use of contact lenses can lead to changes in the thickness and shape of the cornea, which can cause vision problems and even vision loss[2][9][10][4].
– Formation of microcysts: Contact lenses can cause the formation of microcysts on the cornea, which can lead to decreased corneal sensitivity and vision problems[2].
– Decreased corneal sensitivity: Contact lenses can decrease the sensitivity of the cornea, which can make it harder to detect eye problems[2].
– Vision loss: Long-term use of contact lenses can lead to vision loss due to corneal damage[2][10][4].

It’s important to note that these negative effects are not guaranteed to occur and can be prevented with proper care and hygiene. Contact lens wearers should follow their eye care provider’s instructions on how to properly wear, clean, and store their lenses to lower their chances of an eye infection[1]. Additionally, it’s important to consult with an eye doctor to determine which option is best for your specific needs.

Citations:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/protect-your-eyes.html
[2] https://www.sweye.com/blog/optical-care/does-long-term-contact-wear-have-negative-effects/
[3] https://www.doughertylaservision.com/vision-blog/how-contacts-can-be-harmful-to-your-eyes/
[4] https://www.rebuildyourvision.com/blog/glasses-contacts/the-effects-contacts-have-on-your-eyes/
[5] https://magruderlaservision.com/blog/side-effects-wearing-contacts-years/
[6] https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/healthy-vision-and-contact-lenses
[7] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779826
[8] https://www.insightvisioncenter.com/dark-side-wearing-contact-lenses/
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234044/
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3863808/

By Perplexity at https://www.perplexity.ai/search/0b632944-0c3c-47d4-a2b4-925664de6c6c

A simple solution to protect children from near-sight weakness has been found

The weakness of close vision is a problem faced by millions of people around the world.

Especially in the current era, this problem is becoming common among children due to the use of smartphones and other devices.

But it is possible to protect children from this problem of vision by using commonly used eye drops.

This was revealed in a new medical study conducted in Hong Kong.

Research has shown that atropine eye drops relax the eye muscles while the pupils expand.

According to research, the use of atropine eye drops in small amounts can prevent or slow down the weakness of near vision in children.

During this problem, the flexibility of the eyelids starts to disappear, due to which it is possible to see distant objects clearly, but there are difficulties while looking or studying nearby objects.

Researchers said that people with close vision impairment have to use glasses or contact lenses.

In this study, 353 children aged 4 to 9 years were included and they were divided into 3 groups.

One group was given placebo each night, while the children in the other group were given a small amount of eye drops.

The third group was given a higher amount of eye drops.

The study on all three groups lasted for 2 years.

The results showed that the groups that were given eye drops had a lower rate of cases of near vision impairment.

The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

Vision defects in children: symptoms, causes

Vision defects in children are quite common. Eyesight is checked at regular checkups, but if we are worried about something, we shouldn’t wait to see an eye doctor. What are the most common problems with a child’s sight?

Vision defects in children:
photo Shutterstock

Vision defects in children and the development of the eye organ

In the fourth week of pregnancy, the baby’s eyes start to form. At birth, the eyeball is about 80% the size it will be as an adult. Up until age 2, the eyes grow very quickly. The second stage of development, which lasts from birth until puberty, is characterized by very slow growth.

A baby can’t see very well right after being born. He can’t do things like keep his eyes on one thing. At the end of the baby’s first month, you can already check to see if his eyes follow the light. By the baby’s third month, he or she should already be able to choose what to look at. It should also help you keep your eyes on one thing and move them along with it. If the mother doesn’t make eye contact with the baby during this time, it could be a sign that her eyesight is bad. The child should be able to move around the house freely until he or she is 12 months old, pay attention to what is going on outside the window, and be able to recognize people and pictures. At this age, 80 percent of children can already see with both eyes.

Visual impairment in children: symptoms

There are whole sets of symptoms of poor eyesight in children that parents should pay attention to. In infancy, indications for contact with an ophthalmologist include:

  • squint (physiological strabismus occurring up to six months of age)
  • not making eye contact
  • presence of genetically determined eye diseases in the family (congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, retinoblastoma)
  • a family history of hyperopia or strabismus (the first eye examination is recommended after the age of one)

In the preschool and school period, the symptoms of visual impairment in children are:

  • closing or covering one eye
  • burning, watery eyes
  • rubbing the eyes
  • quick fatigue and headache when reading
  • poor reading ability
  • low hand eye coordination
  • Difficulty judging distances correctly
  • problems with concentration
  • confusing letters
  • problems with writing between lines

When everything is normal, the eye’s optical system, which is mostly made up of the cornea and the retina, focuses light rays right on the retina. A normal eye looks like this. Because the lens can change shape, it is possible to see well both close up and far away. An irregular eye, also called an eye with a refractive error, is one that can’t focus light on the retina by itself. Most of the time, these kinds of problems show up in children. The word “refraction” means how light bends as it passes through the eye’s optical system.

Use these eye-healthy foods on a regular basis.

If you want to maintain your vision as you age, choose the correct diet.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation provides numerous recommendations for maintaining good vision.

The second most common cause of visual impairment is a collection of conditions known as cataracts.

The organization asserts that a healthy diet is crucial for the eyes in addition to protection from other health issues.

Fruits and vegetables are a wonderful source of vitamins A and C, but they also give the body the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which guard the eye’s neurons from oxidative stress.

Consuming a small amount of fruit or juice each day decreased the incidence of cataracts by 79%, according to a research including 584 women.
Similar to how they lower the chance of cataracts, green leafy vegetables like spinach also lower the risk of inflammation, cancer, heart disease, and aging-related muscle loss.

According to the foundation, nuts and seeds aid in acquiring vitamin E, which maintains cells healthy and defends them against hazardous substances.

Additionally, the foundation suggests eating fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids and lowers the incidence of cataracts.

The organization also referenced a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology that showed persons who drank hot tea at least once a day had a 74 percent higher chance of developing cataracts than those who did not. Is lower

Bananas, chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and black seeds were also discovered by the company to be beneficial for eyesight.
In addition, those who have cataracts should stay away from items that promote metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

In actuality, cataract risk is decreased by a diet that controls blood pressure and blood sugar.

Make it a habit to use these best foods for good eyesight

Choose the right diet if you want to protect your eyesight with age.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation offers a variety of tips for healthy eyesight.

Cataracts are a group of visual impairments that are the second leading cause of visual impairment.

According to the foundation, in addition to protection from other medical problems, a good diet is also important for the eyes.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is a good source of vitamins A and C, but they also provide the body with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect against oxidative stress that damages the nerves in the eye.

A study of 584 women found that consuming a small amount of fruit or juice daily reduced the risk of cataracts by 79%.

Likewise, green leafy vegetables such as spinach reduce the risk of cataracts, while they also reduce the risk of inflammation, cancer, heart disease and muscle decline with age.

The foundation added that nuts and seeds help in the acquisition of vitamin E, which keeps cells healthy and protects them from harmful substances.

The foundation also recommends the use of fish, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and reduces the risk of cataracts.

The agency also cited a study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology which found that people who drank at least one cup of hot tea a day had a 74 percent higher risk of cataracts than those who drank the drink. Is less

The company also found bananas, chocolate, pumpkin seeds and black seeds to be useful for eyesight.

At the same time, people with cataracts should avoid foods that can cause metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

In fact, a diet that regulates blood pressure and blood sugar also reduces the risk of cataracts.