Cerebral malaria can be diagnosed by a simple eye examination, a method that is both quick and cheap and could save thousands of lives in malarial regions, a new study shows.
Diagnosing cerebral malaria — a severe complication of malaria in which the Plasmodium falciparum parasite infects capillaries that flow through the tissues of the brain — can be difficult, as patients can be unconscious and have a number of other illnesses.
Now researchers have found that certain changes on the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, are unique to severe forms of malaria.
This will enable doctors to determine whether a child is suffering from cerebral malaria or some other, unrelated illness, and prescribe immediate treatment accordingly.
The findings are published this week (6 November) in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The team led by Nick Beare of the UK-based Royal Liverpool University Hospital analysed the retinas of 45 children admitted to hospital in Blantyre, Malawi with cerebral malaria.
They found that white opaque patches and whitened blood vessels on the retina were unique signs of cerebral malaria. Other signs include bleeding of the retina and swelling of the optic nerve.
The diagnosis only requires an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, which is commonly used in Africa for studying eye disease.
“Diagnosis requires special training in eye examination, but is relatively straightforward and cost effective, which is essential in resource-poor settings such as Africa,” says Beare.
His team suggests that the malaria parasites stick to the linings of the small blood vessels in the brain and eyes where they disrupt oxygen and nutrients supply, causing the unique whitening of blood vessels in the eye.
Richard Idro of the Kenya Medical Research Institute says that the specific nature of the changes in the eye makes them useful for differentiating between coma due to malaria and coma from other causes.
A multi-centre evaluation of the findings will be undertaken by researchers in Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana and Kenya. “If they prove useful, doctors will need to be trained in the recognition of these signs,” says Idro.
Willis Akhwale, head of the department of malaria control at Kenya’s Ministry of Heath, welcomed the study, but cautioned that it is vital to test the methodology to ensure that correct diagnosis is made so that malaria drugs are not prescribed for other illnesses.
We often take it for granted, expecting that every night we’ll drift into sweet slumber. But for millions of people around the world, sleep is a challenge. Due to sleep disorders, they find themselves unable to sleep, or worse.
But what exactly are sleep disorders? And what causes them?
In this post, we’re going to break down both the what and why of sleep disorders, as well as explain the effects of lack of sleep on the human body.
Put simply, a sleep disorder is a change in the way you sleep. Instead of sleeping well and getting a good night’s rest, new, unhealthy sleep patterns are introduced into your life, altering the very fabric of your sleep.
Sleep problems are widespread, with approximately 10-20% of people saying that they struggle with significant sleep problems, and another 33% of adults reporting insomnia-like symptoms.
Sleep disorders can be grouped in a variety of ways, including difficulty falling asleep, feeling extra sleepy during the day, having trouble breathing at night, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles, and behaviors at night while sleeping.
How do you know if you have a sleep disorder? There are some common symptoms that are signs that something is greatly amiss with your sleep:
Excessive sleepiness during the day
Irregular breathing patterns at night
Irregular movements at night
Difficulty falling asleep
If you struggle with any of these symptoms, there is a good chance that you’re struggling with some form of sleep disorder.
What Are Some Common Sleep Disorders?
There are a variety of common sleep disorders which affect millions of people around the world.
These disorders include:
Insomnia
Perhaps the most well-known of all sleep disorders, insomnia is characterized by the inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep, resulting in a person getting insufficient sleep.
For most people with insomnia, it takes more than 20-30 minutes to fall asleep (or fall back asleep). If this happens at least three times per week for more than three months it is called “chronic insomnia”.
Approximately 10% of all adults are officially diagnosed with insomnia, making it the most common sleep disorder.
Insomnia is often treated with either Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or medication.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is an extreme form of snoring. It is a chronic medical condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly while they are sleeping. This stoppage of breath can last 10 seconds or more and can cause both oxygen levels to drop and the person to temporarily awake from sleep.
Typically, sleep apnea is caused by one of two things. First, it can be the result of an obstruction of the upper airway. This is called “obstructive sleep apnea”. It can also be caused by the brain itself failing to initiate breathing, which is called “central sleep apnea”.
If left untreated, the health effects of sleep apnea can be significant, including:
All of these are in addition to the extreme sleepiness which sleep apnea typically causes.
Sleep apnea is typically treated with a CPAP device, which forces a steady stream of air into a person’s nose to ensure that they keep breathing.
If you want to know more about sleep apnea, here’s a helpful video:
https://youtu.be/i6lxO6W2-m8
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a disorder in which the person feels the need to constantly move while in bed, particularly their legs. People often describe the sensation as aching, burning, tingling, or even feeling like bugs are crawling on their legs. These symptoms can make it extremely difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
There are many causes of restless legs, including pregnancy, iron deficiency, and obesity.
RLS can be treated through exercise, a reduction in caffeine or alcohol, and in severe cases, medication.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock, telling you when to wake up and when to go to sleep. Circadian rhythm disorders occur when a person’s internal clock is out of sync with the external world.
For example, being wide awake at 2:00 AM may indicate that your circadian rhythm has gotten out of sync with the light-dark cycle.
Typically, these disorders happen due to shifting work, jet lag, advanced or delayed sleep phase syndrome, or blindness. The mismatch between the circadian rhythm and the external cues can result in insomnia or extreme sleepiness.
Circadian rhythm disorders can be treated with medication or natural supplements such as melatonin.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are sleep disorders characterized by strange, abnormal sleep behaviors. These behaviors can be complex and are done unconsciously, as the person is fully asleep. These behaviors can include everything from sleep terrors to sleepwalking to sleep eating to even sleep sex.
There can be a number of underlying causes, including sleep apnea. Thankfully, these disorders can often be treated with medications such as melatonin or clonazepam.
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis involves the temporary inability to move as a person moves from sleep to wakefulness or vice versa. This temporary feeling of paralysis can be quite frightening and often involves hallucinations as well. The disorder is common, with around 25% of people experiencing it at least once.
If necessary, sleep paralysis can be treated with medication.
Narcolepsy
There are four symptoms typically associated with narcolepsy:
Excessive sleepiness during the day
Cataplexy (the sudden loss of muscle tone in response to a particular stimulus such as laughter or surprise)
The result of these symptoms can be a person seemingly falling asleep in an instant at any point in time.
Narcolepsy is most often treated with medications.
For more information on narcolepsy, here’s a helpful video:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an ongoing, unexplained fatigue that is not lessened by rest or sleep. It may be worsened through physical or mental activity, and the results can be extreme, causing a person to be practically incapacitated.
The fatigue can be so extreme that a person is forced to adapt their daily schedule so that they can preserve as much energy as possible.
Before a person can be diagnosed with CFS, other underlying causes, such as sleep apnea, must be ruled out.
What Are The Effects Of Lack Of Sleep?
There are numerous detrimental effects of lack of sleep.
Not getting enough sleep can cause you to have memory problems. Sleep is essential to forming memories and not getting enough sleep can affect both your long-term and your short-term memory.
Sleeplessness can also result in difficulty concentrating and problem-solving.
Mood changes are a common side effect of lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your emotions are on a hair-trigger and can lead to depression or anxiety.
If you sleep less than five hours per night, your risk of high blood pressure greatly increases.
A lack of sleep is detrimental to your immune system, making you much more vulnerable to viruses that cause the common cold and the flu.
Weight gain is a common side effect of not getting enough sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t send the normal signals to your body that you’re full, resulting in overeating.
Many people who don’t sleep enough find themselves experiencing a low sex drive. In men, this may be caused by a drop in overall testosterone levels.
A lack of sleep can affect your body’s ability to control insulin levels, which is a blood-sugar-lowering hormone. Those who don’t get enough sleep often have higher levels of blood sugar, which can eventually result in Type-2 diabetes.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your balance and coordination are affected, making you much more prone to falling.
Don’t Neglect Your Sleep
Sleep is absolutely essential for your body to function properly. When you don’t get enough sleep, all manner of problems arises, affecting your life in significantly negative ways. You should do whatever is necessary to get as much sleep as you need.
If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder, talk to a health professional today. Left untreated, sleep disorders can wreak havoc on your life.
Don’t let a sleep disorder keep you from living the life you deserve. Get treatment today.
Eye twitching — which actually is twitching of an eyelid — is common and harmless.
Most eye twitching lasts only a few minutes, but sometimes an eyelid twitch can persist for days or longer. If you have an eye twitch that doesn’t go away relatively quickly, see an eye doctor.
The medical term for eye twitching is myokymia.
If you experience eye twitching that doesn’t go away, this could signal a serious neurological condition affecting the eyelid — such as blogs to spasm orhemifacial spasm.
These relatively rare conditions are more obvious and severe than common eye twitching and should be evaluated immediately by an eye doctor.
What causes eye twitching?
Triggers of eye twitching include:
Stress
Fatigue
Eye strain
Caffeine
Alcohol
Dry eyes
Nutrition problems
Allergies
If you experience eye twitching, take a close look at this list and note which of these potential triggers might apply to you. Sometimes, making minor changes to your diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of eye twitching or help make an eyelid twitch disappear.
Eye twitching causes and fixes
1. Stress
Stress is probably the most common cause of eye twitching. Yoga, breathing exercises, spending time with friends or pets and getting more down time into your schedule are ways to reduce stress that may be causing your eyelid twitch.
2. Fatigue
Lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, can trigger eye twitching. Catching up on your sleep and having a consistent sleep schedule can help.
3. Eye strain
Eye strain — particularly digital eye strain from overuse of computers, tablets and smartphones — also is a common cause of eyelid twitching.
Follow the “20-20-20 rule” when using digital devices: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and allow your eyes to focus on a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for 20 seconds or longer. This reduces fatigue that may trigger eye twitching.
Also, ask your eye doctor about computer eyeglasses to relieve digital eye strain.
Eye twitching — which actually is twitching of an eyelid — is common and harmless.
Most eye twitching lasts only a few minutes, but sometimes an eyelid twitch can persist for days or longer. If you have an eye twitch that doesn’t go away relatively quickly, see an eye doctor.
The medical term for eye twitching is myokymia.
If you experience eye twitching that doesn’t go away, this could signal a serious neurological condition affecting the eyelid — such as blepharospasm
. These relatively rare conditions are more obvious and severe than common eye twitching and should be evaluated immediately by an eye doctor.
What causes eye twitching?
Triggers of eye twitching include:
Stress
Fatigue
Eye strain
Caffeine
Alcohol
Dry eyes
Nutrition problems
Allergies
If you experience eye twitching, take a close look at this list and note which of these potential triggers might apply to you. Sometimes, making minor changes to your diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of eye twitching or help make an eyelid twitch disappear.
When your eyelid is twitching, you might think everyone else can see it. But most eye twitches are subtle and are not easily seen by others.
Eye twitching causes and fixes
1. Stress
Stress is probably the most common cause of eye twitching. Yoga, breathing exercises, spending time with friends or pets and getting more down time into your schedule are ways to reduce stress that may be causing your eyelid twitch.
2. Fatigue
Lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, can trigger eye twitching. Catching up on your sleep and having a consistent sleep schedule can help.
3. Eye strain
Eye strain — particularly digital eye strain from overuse of computers, tablets and smartphones — also is a common cause of eyelid twitching.
Follow the “20-20-20 rule” when using digital devices: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and allow your eyes to focus on a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for 20 seconds or longer. This reduces fatigue that may trigger eye twitching.
Also, ask your eye doctor about computer eyeglasses to relieve digital eye strain.
Infographic: How To Stop Eye Twitching [Enlarge]
4. Caffeine
Too much caffeine can trigger eye twitching. Try cutting back on coffee, tea and soft drinks (or switch to decaffeinated versions) for a week or two and see if your eye twitching disappears.
5. Alcohol
If you experience eye twitching after drinking beer, wine or liquor, try abstaining for a while, since alcohol consumption may cause eyelids to twitch.
6. Dry eyes
Many adults experience dry eyes, especially after age 50. Dry eyes also are very common among people who use computers, take certain medications (especially antihistamines and some antidepressants), wear contact lenses and consume caffeine and/or alcohol.
If you have a twitching eyelid and your eyes feel gritty or dry, see your eye doctor for a dry eye evaluation. Restoring moisture to the surface of your eye may stop the eye twitching and decrease the risk of twitching in the future.
7. Nutrition problems
Some reports suggest a lack of certain nutritional elements, such as magnesium, can trigger eyelid spasms. Although these reports are not conclusive, this may be another possible cause of eye twitching.
If you are concerned that your diet may not be supplying all the nutrients you need for healthy vision, discuss this with your eye doctor before purchasing over-the-counter nutritional supplements.
8. Allergies
People with eye allergies can have itching, swelling and watery eyes. Rubbing your eyes because of allergy symptoms releases histamine into your eyelid tissues and tear film, which may cause eye twitching.
Sometimes, over-the-counter eye drops formulated to reduce allergy symptoms can be helpful. But antihistamines in these drops can cause dry eyes. It’s best to consult your eye doctor to make sure you’re doing the right thing for your eyes if you experience allergy symptoms and eye twitching.
Another way to stop eye twitching: Botox
In rare cases, some eye twitching just won’t go away, despite applying the remedies above.
Persistent eyelids twitches can be treated with Botox injections to stop the involuntary muscle contractions in the eyelid that cause the twitching.
When to see an eye doctor
See an eye doctor immediately if you experience persistent eye twitching, sudden changes in appearance or movement of half your face (including your eyelids), or if both eyelids clamp down so tight it’s impossible to open your eyes. These can be signs of a serious condition.
According to the World Health Organization, cataracts cause a third of worldwide blindness, affecting approximately 12.6 million people. Cataracts additionally cause moderate to severe vision loss to 52.6 million individuals, 99% of whom live in developing countries.
Although it is a relatively simple condition to treat surgically in the developed world, in many developing countries, access to eye care is extremely limited. Moreover, as populations age and average life expectancy continues to increase worldwide, the number of people with cataracts will only grow more widespread.
A Healthy Eye and an Eye with A Cataract
Risk Factors
Biological aging is the most common cause of cataracts, but exposure to ultraviolet radiation, skin diseases, injury, infection, smoking, and genetic factors are also causes. Some children are even born with the condition.
Those living in developing countries, particularly those with agrarian societies, are at increased risk. Individuals who spend much of their day working outdoors without eye protection are exposed to UV-B radiation, which can lead to cataracts.
Prevention
While there is no way to completely prevent getting cataracts, the following can lessen the likelihood of developing them:
1. Living a healthy lifestyle by reducing smoking and alcohol consumption
2. Avoiding eye trauma by wearing safety goggles
3. Wearing sunglasses to protect eyes from UV radiation
Treatment
Cataract removal is a simple, non-invasive surgical process with a high success rate – 90% of patients report a corrected vision of 20/40 or better afterwards. SEE performs three types of cataract surgery: Phacoemulsification (or “Phaco”), Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) and Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS).
Cataracts in the developing world generally have gone untreated for a longer period of time than in places like the United States. Thus they are usually denser and harder to remove. MSICS is the generally the ideal technique to use, as it allows the doctor to get the more mature cataract out in a shorter amount of time than if they were to use Phaco.
Doctors most commonly use Phaco in the developed world. The technique utilizes an expensive handheld ultrasonic probe, which emulsifies (turns to liquid) the clouded lens, which surgeons then replace with an artificial (man-made) lens. ECCE uses a larger incision than phaco and generally needs stitches and thus is less commonly used. The Manual Small Incision technique improves upon ECCE, in that it does not require stitches. Find out more about MSICS here .
SEE International & Cataracts Around the World
SEE works diligently to reduce the number of cataract cases around the world in the following ways:
Performing cataract surgery
Teaching appropriate cataract surgical techniques, such as Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery.
Training local eye care personnel in ophthalmology in rural and urban areas.
Strengthening local health care infrastructure.
An intraocular lens implant is an artificial replacement for the lens of your eye. It’s part of the surgery to fix cataracts.
How Your Eye Works
Each eye has a lens — a window made of clear protein and water that sits behind the pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina, which sends it to your brain.
As you get older, the proteins change and parts of your lens turn cloudy. This is known as a cataract. It can make things look blurry or give them a brownish tint.
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness, especially in older people. But they can be corrected through surgery — a procedure that’s done more than 2 million times a year in the United States.
The Implant
An intraocular lens implant, or IOL, is made of a clear plastic, and it’s about a third the size of a dime. There are several different types:
Monofocal IOL: This is the most common. Unlike your natural lens, which can stretch or bend to help your eye focus, this implant stays focused at one fixed distance. If yours focuses at a distance, you might be able to see things far away but need glasses to read or see close up.
CONTINUE READING BELOW
Multifocal implant: Like glasses with bifocal or progressive lenses, this lens has areas that help you see things at different distances. It could take several months for your brain to adapt so yourvision seems natural.
Accommodating IOL: This flexible option acts more like your natural lens and focuses at more than one distance. It makes you less likely to need reading glasses.
Toric IOL: You’ll get this is if you haveastigmatism, or a cornea that’s more football-shaped than round. This can make vision blurry all over, not just close up or far away. This lens lessens astigmatism so you won’t need glasses to correct it after your surgery.
The Surgery
If you have a cataract, you’ll see anophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in eye problems. He’ll probably tell you it’s best to wait to remove the cataract until it starts to affect your daily life. He can do the surgery at a hospital or an outpatient clinic.
To get you ready, your doctor will:
Measure your eye. This will help him pick the right implant for you.
Give you medicated eye drops to take for a few days ahead of time
Ask you to stop taking some medicines or to skip wearing contact lenses for several days beforehand
CONTINUE READING BELOW
On the day of surgery, he’ll:
Numb your eye
Give you a drug to help you relax. You may see light during the procedure, but you should feel nothing or only a gentle pressure.
Make a tiny cut through your cornea to get to the lens
Break the lens up into pieces and remove it bit by bit
You can usually go home in less than an hour, but you’ll need someone else to drive.
Is It Risky?
Any surgery has a chance of complications. It’s rare after an intraocular lens implant, but you might notice bleeding or get an infection. Redness or swelling are more common.
More serious risks include:
A detached retina, which happens when that layer of nerve cells separates from the back of your eye. This is a medical emergency.
Dislocation — when the implant moves out of position
You may also get an after-cataract anywhere from weeks to years after surgery. This happens when the tissue around your new lens gets cloudy and your eyesight blurs. Your doctor can fix this with a painless laser procedure.
CONTINUE READING BELOW
Follow-Up Care
It’ll take about 8 weeks to fully heal. During that time:
Keep your eye covered with a patch or glasses for the first several days — even when you sleep.
Don’t rub or press your eye, even if it’s itchy or oozes a bit of fluid.
Take the medicated eye drops your doctor prescribes. You’ll use them for several weeks to help your eye heal.
Avoid most exercise or heavy lifting. The doctor will tell you when you can do those things again
Abeokuta North Local Government.
Abeokuta South Local Government.
Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.
Ewekoro Local Government.
Ifo Local Government.
Ijebu East Local Government.
Ijebu North Local Government.
Ijebu North East Local Government.
Ijebu Ode Local Government.
Ikenne Local Government.
ImekoAfon Local Government.
Ipokia Local Government.
Obafemi Owode Local Government.
Odogbolu Local Government.
Odeda Local Government.
Ogun Waterside Local Government.
Remo North Local Government.
Sagamu Local Government.
Yewa North Local Government.
Yewa South Local Government.
Residents and visitors of these cities and communities in Ogun State can have an eye check at Eyeupdate Clinic & Optical Supplies, 01, Ajuwon Junction, Ajuwon, Ifo, LGA, Ogun State:
You will be examined by an eye doctor who will diagnose your eye condition and treat it. No distance travelled to get to Eyeupdate is futile as you will be given full attention.
Our products and services include:
Computerized eye check, Eye disease detection and treatment, corrective eye glasses/lenses, contact lenses, eye surgeries by ophthalmologists if need be, low vision management, night drivin glasses, sales and supply of optical equipment and accessories.
Eyeupdate clinic & optical supplies provides eye check, prescription eye glasses, eye treatment, contact lenses and general eye care.
Residents of these states can have their eyes examined at 01, Ajuwon junction beside M.R.S. filling station:
Lagos
Federal Capital Territory
Ogun
Akwa Ibom
Cross River
Kaduna
Katsina
Anambra
Benue
Borno
Imo
Kano
Kwara
Niger
Oyo
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Jigawa
Kebbi
Kogi
Osun
Taraba
Yobe
Abia
Bauchi
Enugu
Ondo
Plateau
Rivers
Sokoto
Bayelsa
Ebonyi
Ekiti
Gombe
Nasarawa
Zamfara
We provide excellent eye care services for you, your family and corporate bodies.
You can also get night driving glasses, antiglare lenses, medicated lenses and medicated contact lenses for different conditions.
Those who have cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, low vision and all sorts of eye diseases will get their eyes examined and treated at our location, 01, Ajuwon junction, Ajuwon.
Contact us on telephone: 08107531046, 07030000001 or email us on eyeupdate@consultant.com
As someone who is overly worried about my eyes, I feel like everything is a reason to go to the eye doctor. I’ll make an appointment at the drop of a hat, get dilated, let them poke around — the whole shebang. But for others, the very thought of anyone coming near their peepers is enough to make them faint.
For this reason, and many others, there are people who skip out on their regular exams. And, others still, who never go at all, even when they’re dealing with some chronic eye issues. According to WebMD, eye exams aren’t just for poor vision. They’re an important way of detecting eye problems before you have symptoms.
I know money is an issue, and time, and the whole squeamish factor, but if you can get your paws on an eye exam, stick with it. The doctor will check your vision to see whether or not you need glasses; the pressure of your eye, which looks for glaucoma; and give a full eye exam, which involves dilating the eye and peaking around inside the eyeball.
Everyone should get a comprehensive eye exam every two years, but if you haven’t gone in a hot minute, or you don’t think it’s necessary, then here are some signs a visit to the eye doctor is in order.
1. You Always Have A Headache
If your head is pounding all the time, then it might be time to head over to your trusty optometrist. According to YourSightMatters.com, “A routine eye exam can turn up a variety of issues that may be causing headaches. In some cases staring at the computer screen too long, or working on overly bright or dim light may be the culprit. Adjusting workplace lighting, or remembering to take a break every hour or so to give your eyes a rest can remedy those problems.” In other, more severe cases, your headaches may be caused by astigmatism, long-sightedness, or even glaucoma, so it’s important to get yourself checked out.
2. Your Eye Is Infected
Eye infections can get gross real quick, so if you have one brewing, be sure to get over to the eye doc ASAP. According to WebMD, symptoms of eye infection include feeling like something is in your eye, redness, pain, discharge from the eye, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. You may need a course of antibiotics drops to clear things up.
3. There are Bright Flashes And Floaters Galore
Lots of people have floaters. You know, the little squiggly pieces of dust in your vision that are super noticeable on a white wall, or when you look up at the sky. (Sorry, now you probably can’t unsee them.) They’re usually nothing to worry about. But if you have a sudden increase in floaters, as well as flashing lights or a shadow in your peripheral vision, it could be a sign of a detached retina. According to Katherine Lee on EverydayHealth.com, this is an absolute eye emergency. And unless it’s treated quickly, a detached retina can lead to blindness.
4. That Eye Pain Is Becoming A Bit Much
If your eyes are bothering you, it’s really no surprise you should get an eye exam. And yet, so many people put up with painful eye symptoms, and never do anything about them. Don’t be like this — if your eyes are hurting, go see the doctor. Usually the culprit is simple dry eye, which can be solved with some drops. But sometimes eye pain can be a sign of an injury, or a condition like glaucoma, a scratched cornea, or even eye cancer, said Lee. So yea, don’t let it go on too long.
5. You’ve Been Squinting For Days
If you need to squint to see the computer, or to read road signs while driving, then it could be a sign you need glasses. Besides the obvious blurriness, we subconsciously squint in an effort to change the eye and make it easier to see. According to Scienceline.UCSB.edu, ” squinting allows us to see better in two ways: by changing the shape of our eye and letting in a limited amount of light that is more easily focused.” But don’t get any ideas — squinting forever is not an effective or sustainable way to deal with the issue. Go pick yourself out a nice, new pair of specs.
6. You Have Diabetes, Or It Runs In Your Family
If you have diabetes, then you probably already know how to properly look after your blood sugar. But monitoring your vision is another important aspect of dealing with the disease. As Ed Zimney, M.D., noted on EverydayHealth.com, “… diabetes is another systemic illness that can damage the retina and be seen on eye exam even before loss of vision occurs … it’s [also] possible for someone without any symptoms and perfect vision not to know they have diabetes and to have it recognized for the first time on examination of the eyes.” So best get yourself checked out.
Sitting around with dilated eyes may not be your ideal way to spend an afternoon, but getting a check-up every two years is imperative for good eye health.
People often believe that failing eyesight is an inevitable result of aging or eye strain. In truth, a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of eye health problems.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), published in 2001, found that certain nutrients — zinc, copper ,
vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene — may reduce the risk of age-related decline in eye health by 25 percent .
This study was updated in 2013 to test different versions of the original formula. The variations included
omega-3 fatty acids, zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene; the study found that certain combinations may work better than others.
Further studies agree that omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA), copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin are vital for eye health.
In this article, we look at the evidence for 10 nutrient-rich foods to boost eye health. We also discuss other tips for healthy eyes and eye health warning signs.
Ten best foods for eye health
Organizations such as the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) continue to recommend nutrients for eye health based on the AREDS reports.
The AREDS reports support the following 10 nutrient-rich foods:
1. Fish
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower the risk of eye problems.
Many fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Oily fish are fish that have oil in their gut and body tissue, so eating them offers higher levels of omega-3-rich fish oil. The fish that contains the most beneficial levels of omega-3s include:
tuna
salmon
trout
mackerel
sardines
anchovies
herring
Some studies have found that fish oil can reverse dry eye, including dry eye caused by spending too much time on a computer .
2. Nuts and legumes
Nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts also contain a high level of vitamin E, which can protect the eye from age-related damage.
Nuts and legumes that are good for eye health include:
walnuts
Brazil nuts
cashews
peanuts
lentils
3. Seeds
Like nuts and legumes, seeds are high in omega-3s and are a rich source of vitamin E.
Seeds high in omega-3 include:
chia seeds
flax seeds
hemp seeds
4. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Just like vitamin E, vitamin C is an antioxidant that is recommended by the AOA to fight age-related eye damage.
Vitamin C-rich citrus fruits include:
lemons
oranges
grapefruits
5. Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin and are also a good source of eye-friendly vitamin C.
Well-known leafy greens include:
spinach
kale
collards
6. Carrots
Carrots are rich in both Vitamin A and beta carotene. Beta carotene gives carrots their orange color.
Vitamin A plays an essential role in vision. It is a component of a protein called rhodopsin, which helps the retina to absorb light.
Research on beta carotene’s role in vision is mixed , though the body needs this nutrient to make vitamin A.
7. Sweet potatoes
Like carrots, sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene. They are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.
8. Beef
Beef is rich in zinc, which has been linked to better long-term eye health. Zinc can help delay age-related sight loss and macular degeneration.
The eye itself contains high levels of zinc, particularly in the retina, and the vascular tissue surrounding the retina.
Meats such as chicken breast and pork loin also contain zinc, but at lower levels than beef.
9. Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which can reduce the risk of age-related sight loss. Eggs are also good sources of vitamins C and E, and zinc.
10. Water
It may come as no surprise that a fluid essential to life is also vital to eye health.
Drinking plenty of water can prevent dehydration , which may reduce the symptoms of dry eyes .
Recommended daily intake
The current daily recommendations for healthy eye nutrients, as suggested by the AAO to slow the progression of eye disease, are:
500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
400 international units of vitamin E
10 mg lutein
2 mg zeaxanthin
80 mg of zinc oxide
2 mg of copper oxide
RELATED ARTICLE
Five tips for healthy sight
Diet is not the only way to keep your eyes healthy. Learn about other strategies to boost eye health here.
READ NOW
Other eye health tips
Wearers of contact lenses should follow their doctors’ instructions to reduce the risk of infection.
According to the AAO, the following strategies can help to ensure healthy eyes:
wearing sunglasses outside, since excessive sun exposure can cause cataracts
stopping smoking
getting regular eye exams, particularly if there is a family history of eye disease
wearing eye protection when working with possible eye irritants or dangerous chemicals
washing hands before applying contacts
wearing contacts only for the period recommended by the doctor or manufacturer
protecting eyes from computer-related eye strain by looking away every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness. People with diabetes should carefully monitor blood sugar levels, take medications exactly as prescribed by their doctor, and manage carbohydrate intake while focusing on eating low-moderate glycemic index (GI) foods.
Early treatment for eye health problems can prevent them from getting worse. So people who notice changes in their vision should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Warning signs for eye health
Possible symptoms that a person may be experiencing vision trouble include:
frequent changes in visual clarity
seeing distorted images
seeing floaters or flashes in the field of vision
reduced peripheral vision
Summary
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C which may help lower the risk of age-related eye damage.
Eating a varied diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is enough to ensure most people get the right nutrients for eye health.
People who cannot get these nutrients from their diet should ask an eye doctor about eye health supplements.
People with vision problems or those with very restrictive diets should talk to an eye health provider about the right foods to eat.
