In today's world, a lot of dangers lie in wait for our eyesight, and winter still additionally imposes its own severe imprint. We will find out how to help our eyes in the cold season.
Frost and sun; a wonderful day! Are you drowsy, my dear friend? It's time, beautiful, wake up: open your eyes closed ...
What picture does the imagination draw when you read these popular lines of poetry? Snow-white drifts sparkling in the bright sun? The snow crackling under your feet in the frost? A piercing blue sky? A good long sleep and a pleasant awakening in a good mood? Alas, to some, very pessimistic pictures come to mind: snow blindness, cold conjunctivitis, lacrimation, short light day, and the one spent at the computer, and as a result - visual fatigue, chronic lack of sleep, a painful climb on the alarm clock and soon closed inflamed " eyes. " We'll figure out how to defeat the main enemies of eye health and form an exceptionally positive attitude toward poetry, not overshadowed by such unpleasant associations.
1. Treacherous snow
In winter, the eyes suffer from ultraviolet exposure no less than in the summer. The brightness of the rays of the winter sun, reflected on snow-white sparkling snow, is sometimes even more intense than a summer day on the beach. The reaction of the eyes does not take long to wait: there is photophobia, the sharpness of vision deteriorates. There is even such a disease - "snow blindness", in which ultraviolet rays reflected from the surface of the snow cause not only unpleasant sensations to the eyes, but can also cause a burn, as a result, a person temporarily loses sight. Such a disease is often found in climbers and those who spend time in the mountains.
What to do: If there is no congenital pathology associated with a violation of the pigmentation of the internal structures of the eye, then usually the problem can be solved with the help of sunglasses. There are lenses with different categories of UV filters. Lenses with first and second light transmittance are designed for simple urban conditions, with a third for a bright winter, lenses with a fourth for the darkest ones, designed to protect the eyes in the mountains and will be useful to those who plan to spend winter holidays in ski resorts. The factor of protection against UV rays also has a number of contact lenses, it is only the ophthalmologist who will help you to choose them correctly.
2. Frost provocateur
Quite often it happens that when we go out in the winter to freeze, our eyes begin to water very much. The fact is that at low temperature the tear ducts are spasmodic, therefore tears that, in the normal functioning of the lacrimal system, must go to the nasal sinuses, they do not enter it, but remain in the eye area, resulting in lacrimation. This reaction can also be caused by high sensitivity of the cornea to weather or light conditions, a "cold" or "solar" allergy.
What to do: It is worth to go to an ophthalmologist to find the cause of lacrimation and prescribe the appropriate treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of the reaction of your eyes. So, for example, in case of allergy to ultraviolet radiation, it will be recommended to follow a diet, use special means - corneoprotectants and take antihistamines. If the retina is susceptible to disease, the doctor will advise the treatment of drugs containing pigments, which effectively protect it from ultraviolet radiation and other negative effects. If a strong stream of tears is caused by a malfunctioning of the tear duct, then a person needs procedures that help normalize the condition of the nasopharynx. In some cases, lavage of lacrimal ducts is prescribed with the help of special probes inserted through the nose. This procedure is not very pleasant, so in some clinics, and especially children, it is recommended to be conducted under mild anesthesia.
3. Dry air
In winter, as a rule, because of hot radiators, heaters, insufficient ventilation and closed windows, the air in the room becomes too dry. In such conditions, the tear film quickly evaporates - the eyes turn red, watery, and experience discomfort. Especially vulnerable to "dry eye syndrome" are those who have a lot of time to spend in work or studying at the computer.
What to do: If possible, ventilate the room and resort to the help of special devices - humidifiers. Every day, do a wet cleaning. Drink plenty of fluids. Independently appoint yourself so-called sap substitutes do not rush - they are shown and not useful to everyone. Do not drip such drugs for children. Sometimes "dry eye syndrome" can be the first call, warning of serious problems with vision. If we mask the picture of the disease with the help of a lacrimation, this will complicate the diagnosis and treatment. Only the ophthalmologist after examination and examination will be able to properly assess the situation, make the necessary tests for the development of tears and the stability of tear film and prescribe the right treatment.
4. The road far
Your second half spends a lot of time driving, and you sometimes take a car from your husband to pick up children from school or get comfortably to the hypermarket? Then you know how hard it is to drive a car in the winter. This time of year is not at all pleased with a clear picture: twilight lighting conditions, poor contrast of the image or, conversely, bright sunlight on snowy roads, prevent everything from seeing well while driving.
What to do: Choose glasses for special lens-light filters. So, for example, a yellow or orange color filter increases the contrast in winter in low light conditions. A brown light filter is required for increased solar activity, including when traveling on snow tracks. The most universal is the gray light filter, it is suitable for different conditions. In the fight against blinding glare beyond competition - polarizing lenses. If by evening your visual acuity decreases, there is a sensation of sand in your eyes, they get tired too quickly, often become inflamed, then do not postpone the visit to the ophthalmologist. The doctor will determine the cause of this condition and, if the visual acuity decreases, he will pick up the correct glasses for you.
5. Little Light
It's no secret that many protective functions of the body directly depend on how much or little it receives of natural light. So, in winter, when solar activity is not great, the immune functions of the body decrease, there is a tendency to apathy and eye fatigue increases, which is further intensified due to artificial lighting. Remember that fluorescent lights for use at home do not fit, they are good only for lighting. Such lamps are very straining the eyes, and the functioning of the cardiovascular system is adversely affected. Specialists in the field of hygiene warn that energy-saving lamps give bright white light that increases the load on the eyesight and increases the fatigue of the eye muscles.
What to do: In the winter, you do not need to hang dark curtains on the windows to maximize the use of natural light. In the afternoon, if the weather is clear and sunny, turn on the electric lamps is not worth it. To the lack of light, eyes do not get tired and do not overexert themselves, take care of the good lighting of the workplace. To change the lamps, try not after they burn out, but when the light from them begins to noticeably weaken. Colors of plafonds it is desirable to choose cool shades, best of all, blue or gray. They do not cause excessive eye strain.
A useful diet for sight
Improve the eyesight will help the menu, which contains foods rich in vitamins A, E, C, group B, as well as with omega-3 acids and a microelement of zinc. This is fish, meat, poultry, green peas, spinach, beans, nuts. Make the eyes less vulnerable are the nutrients of lutein and zeaxanthin substances, related to beta-carotene and capable of accumulating in the retina. Their main sources are spinach, lettuce, egg yolk, red sweet pepper.