Preventing Eye Diseases

“The Doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease” … Thomas Alva EdisonrnThis is slowly coming true, now that we have stepped into the 21st century. Medicine is helping us know what causes disease and hence take measures to prevent disease. Of all the five senses, sight is the most precious and preventing eye diseases is of utmost importance if we wish to preserve this gift. Here is how you can take care of your eyes and prevent eye diseases… • Regular Check-ups:rnMost of us never believe in visiting a doctor unless we are sick. The problem is, diseases may not be as co-operative as to wait for us to visit the doctor before causing any serious damage. Dr Yogesh Patil, Eye Specialist in Vashi says, “Some eye diseases quietly damage our eyes even before any symptoms are seen. That is why it is very important that we get our eyes checked even if we do not notice anything wrong. It will help catch diseases in the initial stages when there are lower chances of you going completely blind.”rnIt is advised that you should get your eyes checked once in your 20’s, once in your 40’s, every 2-3 years until the age of 60 and every year after that. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or any other disease that puts your eyes at risk, your doctor would advise you to undergo more frequent checks. • Diet: "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are." said Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin… He might as well have added, “And how well you see”.rnDiet plays a very important role in our vision. Dr Vandana Jain, who practices at an Eye Hospital near Nerul says, “Vitamins A, C and E are important for the good health of our eyes and vision at night. Apart from the famed carrots, other fruits and vegetables like oranges, tomatoes, nuts, green leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach, green peas, kiwis, green beans, grapefruit, dried apricots, peppers, seeds, dairy products like cheese and milk and eggs, fish, poultry for the non-vegetarians are great sources of these vitamins.” Omega 3 fats, “the good fat” that is being touted as the protector of our heart also saves our eyes from age related problems. Obesity is not just hard on your heart and bones; it takes a toll on your eyes too. Eye diseases like Cataract (Clouding of the natural lens of our eye), Glaucoma (damage to eye from raised eye pressure) and macular degeneration (damage to the light sensitive tissue in our eye called the retina) are more commonly seen in obese people. • Prevent Eye Injury:rnDebris from firework explosions, household cleaning sprays, splashes from hot liquid, prolonged viewing of excessively bright lights, and debris from lawnmowers or table saws are all common causes of eye injury. Protective eye gear must be given priority at all times. Dr Prachi Agashe, Pediatric Ophthalmologist who practices at an Eye Hospital in Vashi, says “Diwali and Holi are two festivals when incidences of eye injuries are at the maximum. However, we also get a lot of patients from Nerul, Kharghar, Panvel even throughout the year. You would be surprised at the amount of damage day-to-day items and negligence can cause.” • Quit Smoking:rnDo not rejoice if your heart and lungs have not yet become a victim to smoking. Smoking raises your chances of contracting Glaucoma, Cataract or Macular Degeneration even years after you have kicked the butt. • Protect your eyes from Sun Damage:rnUltra Violet rays from the sun can damage your eyes. If you are in the sun long enough to develop a sun tan, you need to protect your eyes. Take extra precautions when you are near water, sand or snow because these surfaces also reflect off the sun rays in addition. Wide brimmed hats and sun glasses which protect from UV A and UV B are very important. Dr Susanta Chatterjee, a doctor at an Eye Hospital near Kharghar says, “Sometimes, we see patients who lose their eyesight to injury or disease, when it could have easily been prevented. Following a few precautions is all it takes. We take great care of our gold. Isn’t your sight far more important?”