Eye health, a few simple tips

A series of practical recommendations to maintain eye health. These tips include the frequency of eye examinations, the importance of paying attention to unusual signs of vision and many others.

1.   It is advisable to undergo a check-up eye examination every one to two years complete with:

• Vision examination
• Ocular fundus
• Ocular tone

In the case of chronic diseases such as diabetes, degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and in the case of hypertension, an eye examination should be carried out once every 6 months or a year, depending on the severity of the clinical picture.

2. One should never overlook signs involving vision that may seem unusual, such as bright flashes, blurred vision, image distortions. It is right in such cases to visit an ophthalmologist to thoroughly assess these signs.

3. It is important to use sunglasses, especially at the beach or in the mountains, to protect yourself from blue light and UVA and UVB rays. Always buy them in optical stores, the filters must be of high quality, the risk is to make their use useless or even harmful.

4. If you have red eyes, contact your eye doctor; in the meantime, you can use artificial tears, never drugs. Avoid DIY!!!

5. In case of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, implement the strictest rules of hygiene, especially clean eyes with specific disposable detergents, also use personal towels for hands, avoid pillow exchanges. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are particularly infectious.

6. Implementing a balanced diet is also crucial for vision; vitamins and minerals are important for the metabolism of the eye and are useful in helping to prevent diseases such as, for example, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Low sugar content is helpful in reducing the risk of retinopathy in diabetic individuals. For alterations in the vitreous body, which result in so-called flying flies, it is also necessary to replenish fluids, so drinking is most important, particularly for the elderly.

7. Quitting smoking is a fundamental rule for vision health. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of retinal damage.

8. In the case of contact with irritating or burning substances, limit yourself only to flushing the eyes thoroughly with running water, then contacting the nearest emergency room.

9. Avoid wearing contact lenses for more than 8 hours a day. In case of red eye or discharge, use of lenses should be avoided as one could face even serious complications such as keratitis.

10. In children, then, always adhere to the schedule of eye examinations indicated by the paediatrician, also for eyes the main rule always remains early prevention.