Avoid Cataract Development - How to keep eyes healthy by Kathryn Dawson

Eyes are a very delicate part of the body. Whilst many will think nothing of regular teeth cleaning or daily jogs to keep teeth healthy and bodies strong, when it comes to regular eye care many won't give it a moment's thought. The truth is that eyes are prone to just as many problems as the rest of the body is and vision corrective surgery in later life becoming more common. Age takes it toll on eyesight and continued degeneration can lead to poor eyesight, cataract development and even serious conditions such as macular degeneration. The good news is there are some preventative measures that can be taken to avoid having any of these problems further down the line.

Diet

Nothing is more important to the health of a pair of eyes than a proper, balanced diet. A lifetime of junk food and sugary drinks will do nothing to slow the onset of aging related eye problems whereas a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and the necessary nutrients will do wonders. Include plenty of green vegetables such as spinach and cabbage into the diet, and add some apricots and blueberries if possible too. These foods have shown to help repair eyes and will go a long way to help stave off problems. Vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene are very important for healthy eyes so tuck in to oranges, carrots and any other orange or yellow foods available. It really is true that carrots help people see in the dark! Omega 3 is also important for eye health which is particularly prevalent in all types of fish.

Exercise

Not jogging round the block, but simple eye exercises during the day will help eyes stay strong and healthy and free from problems. A good exercise is looking forward imagining a clock is ahead. Look to 12, then 3, then 6, then 9 and back to 12. Do it again but in reverse. Another effective exercise is rubbing hands together and placing the palms over the eyes. This is particularly effective for soothing tired eyes after a day in front of a computer screen.

Give Eyes a Break

When working, reading or doing any activity that requires constant attention and strain on the eyes, make sure regular breaks occur. Continued eye strain over a long period can lead to a host of problems eventually so better to avoid that risk altogether by taking breaks. It is a good idea to practice the above exercise during these breaks which will maximise the effectiveness of both.

Get Checked

Regular eye exams are very worthwhile. A regular eye test means that any problems such as cataract development, shortsightedness or the onset of macular degeneration can be diagnosed early and dealt with. The earlier a diagnosis is made the more can be done to prevent the condition from worsening, taking with it a person's sight. Treatments such as eye drops can be effective at treating minor or early cases of common eye problems which can delay the conditions from worsening.

Although eye care is often forgotten, it should in fact be a very important aspect of a person's overall health and fitness routine. Although it doesn't need to be time consuming it is important that regular exercises are carried out and of course a diet rich in the right vitamins and minerals is followed. Last but not least, regular eye checks should be attended so any problems that are beginning to emerge can be dealt with as swiftly as possible. This way the chances of undergoing vision correction surgery in the future are greatly reduced.