Optical Updates
“The eyes are the windows to the soul” goes the cliché. Preserve your vision and take good care of your “windows” with these simple tips.
Your eyes need nutrients to perform at their best. Accordingly, you should eat right. Vitamins A, C and E are good for your peepers. Lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene are also good for your eyes. Green veggies like spinach and broccoli are rich in antioxidants that help prevent sun damage to the retina. In addition, egg yolks, squash, sweet potatoes and carrots help build strong eyes as well as prevent macular degeneration, which is known to cause blindness.
To prevent cataract formation, you also need to eat foods rich in lecithin, sulfur and cysteine. You can find them in onions and garlic, among others. Grapes and blueberries also help improve eyesight. These fruits contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help maintain clear vision. Coldwater fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon and cod contain the fatty acid DHA, which is great for your eyes. Moreover, always drink plenty of fluids to lubricate your eyes.
When at work, try to relax your eyes every now and then. Steer your eyes away from the computer to prevent them from getting strained. You can lean back, doze off for a few minutes or take a stroll to the water cooler—do just anything to take the strain off your eyes. More importantly, get some needed R&R. Sleep for eight hours every night to allow your eyes to rest and recover from the day’s strain.
