Cataract is the most common disease manifested in old age. During the formation of cataracts, a protein is deposited in the lens (recall that the lens is a small "magnifying glass" about 12 mm in diameter and 5 mm thick behind the iris in the anterior part of the eye.) We need the lens for additional focusing of the image on the retina. Allocate congenital, primary and secondary glaucoma. Symptoms of this disease are increased intraocular pressure, narrowing of the visual field, atrophy of the optic nerve, disturbance of the outflow and inflow of intraocular fluid. Many patients complain of headaches. Degenerative processes in the retina and choroid (dystrophy of the retina) are caused by the thickening of the blood vessels in its central part. The feeding of the retina in the zone responsible for the light perception is disturbed. Retinal dystrophy can lead to a complete loss of vision.
Good eyesight is a guarantee of health, therefore, to maintain visual functions, people are useful vegetables, fruits, fish. Carrots, cabbage, spinach, oranges (a source of antioxidants) and fatty fish (the source of omega-3 fatty acids) is a remedy for eye diseases. Journal of the American Medical Association conducted a study. It turned out that those who took products rich in beta-carotene, zinc, vitamins C and E, the level of development of retinal dystrophy decreased by 35%. Consumption of fatty fish once a week reduces the level of development of retinal degeneration by 70%. In the American Journal of Epidemiology, a report-consultation of 4000 patients was published: among women who regularly consumed tuna and salmon, the risk of cataracts decreased by 15%.
Worsen eyesight
White bread and sugar - foods with a high content of glycemia (blood sugar level) contribute to the development of retinal dystrophy. Such products reduce the metabolism, which can lead, according to scientists, to the development of eye diseases. On the contrary, good eyesight - a pledge of health contributes to the use of vitamins, vegetables and fruits.
Antioxidants
In the fight against eye diseases, the role of antioxidants, which "connect" cells damaged by exposure to sunlight, is great. Active sun promotes the development of free radicals in the blood stream, damaging the microscopic blood vessels that fit the eye. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals.
Physical training
Sports activities, control over excess weight significantly reduce the level of development of retinal dystrophy. The hike into the gymnasiums slows down the development of glaucoma - classes help to reduce intraocular pressure. Even if you are genetically predisposed to diabetes, sports will help you slow down the aforementioned diseases. In humans, the body mass index of which (Kettle index) exceeds 25 units, the risk of developing retinal dystrophy is twice that of those who have it in norm. Attend the gym at least three times a week, and the level of development of eye diseases will decrease by 25%. Scientists tend to believe that all vascular diseases, sooner or later, can lead to retinal dystrophy.
Full cessation of smoking
Smoking is one of the main causes of retinal dystrophy. Toxins contained in cigarettes can reduce the blood flow and lead to the development of blood clots inside the eye capillaries, and also exhibit free radicals. The chemical compounds contained in the smoke destroy the retinal vessels, narrowing them. And this leads to retinal dystrophy.
Careful care of contact lenses
Any contamination of your contact lenses leads to the spread of bacteria, which, falling into the delicate structure of the eye, can damage the cornea and cause its fungal disease. Fungus destroys the corneal tissue, causing its inflammation, which is very difficult to control. Inflammatory process can lead to complete loss of vision. To protect your eyes, always wash your hands before putting on the lenses. Always use the used lens cleaning liquid. Do not use liquid for lenses that have long expired their original storage life.
Regular consultation with an ophthalmologist
Beginning at age 35, check your eyesight with an ophthalmologist every 2-4 years (after 65 years - 2 times a year). The doctor is obliged to carefully examine the fundus and the pressure, establish the correct correction and write out glasses (if vision deteriorated, it is necessary to replace glasses). Pay attention to the doctor, whether anyone in your family suffered from eye diseases, especially glaucoma, whether there was a family of diabetics. All this is done in order to prevent the early danger of eye diseases.
Use eye drops
In no case do not abandon the eye drops that the doctor prescribes in case of an allergy or eye infection. However, if your goal is to lightly moisten your dry eyes or "refresh" them after a sleepless night, use drops based on a natural "lacrimal" composition. Avoid self-administration of medications designed to relieve you of eye redness. They relieve redness for a short period of time due to temporary narrowing of the blood vessels. As soon as the effect of the drops is over, the vessels will expand and the eyes will turn red again.
Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses even in cloudy weather is an excellent protection against eye diseases. And the sooner you follow this rule, the better. By exposing your eyes to open sunlight, you three times increase the risk of cataracts compared to those who use sunglasses. When buying them, pay attention that they protect you from both short and long ultraviolet waves (UV rays of spectrum A and B). The rays of spectrum A penetrate deeply into the skin, depriving it of moisture, reducing elasticity and provoking the appearance of wrinkles.