10 Ways To Protect Your Eyes

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

May 3, 1998

How can you avoid losing your vision? According to the World Health Organization up to 80 percent of visual loss can be averted. Here are 10 steps that will help to protect your eyes from aging, disease and injury.

# 1 Watch for infection if you use contact lenses. Eye infection is indicated by redness, pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and the presence of sticky secretions. If you're not sure an infection is present use this approach, "When in doubt take them out". And see the doctor in case a corneal ulcer is present which can result in visual loss.

# 2 Use facial protection when playing sports. I continue to see people playing squash, tennis, badminton and hockey without eye protection. Squash and tennis balls can strike the eye at 100 miles an hours causing tremendous damage and usually complete loss of vision. Every year 40,000 people in North America are treated in Emergency Departments for eye injuries related to sports. These injuries increase the risk of glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment. The best protection is provided by molded polycarbonate protectors, a strong lightweight plastic. Á

# 3 Eat a carrot a day. It's said that eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, a daily carrot is good for your eyes. Yellow vegetables contain large amounts of beta©carotene which the body changes to vitamin A. Vitamin A in turn manufactures rhodopsin, a light sensitive pigment, which helps the eye distinguish between light and dark. A deficiency of vitamin A or beta©carotene is often the cause of night blindness. Beta©carotene is found in yellow and dark green vegetables such as cantaloupe melon, pumpkin, squash, mango, spinach and broccoli.

&; # 4 Eat a nutritious diet during pregnancy. Today, fat is on the dietary hit list. But not all fat is bad and it's essential during pregnancy and up to at least 18 years of age. For instance, a polyunsaturated fat called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential to the growth of the eye's retina and brain during pregnancy and in the newborn child. DHA is abundant in fish.

&; # 5 Start taking vitamin C early in life. There's ample evidence that C helps to decrease the risk of cataracts. Vitamin C is concentrated in the lens of the eye to protect it from "free radicals". Cars produce carbon monoxide. Human metabolism creates "free radicals". The antioxidant vitamins C and E mop up free radicals that are believed to increase the risk of cataracts.

# 6 Protect your eyes from long exposure to bright sunlight. This is particularly true when the sun's rays are reflected off water, sand or snow.

# 7 "Floaters" are moving specks or cobweb-like threads that can been seen against the sky or a white page. They can occur early in life and are not important. But, if they suddenly increase in number, see your doctor. They may also be an early sign of retinal detachment. Early treatment can reattach the retina and save your sight.

# 8 The macula, situated at the back of the eye, is responsible for central vision. This allows two lovers to look into each others eyes at two or 20 feet. Degeneration of this tiny area of the eye is one of the principal causes of blindness later in life. We still don't know what causes it. But there is some evidence that a lack of vitamin C, E and beta carotene may contribute to this disease.

# 9 Get regular eye examinations to detect the early onset of glaucoma, "The Sneak Thief of Sight". Fluid is continually forced into the eye to nourish it. This fluid normally dribbles out of the eye through a narrow channel. But if it becomes plugged eyeball pressure rises squeezing blood vessels and decreasing nutrients to the retina and optic nerve. This eventually causes tunnel vision as if you're looking through a telescope. By the time patients finally become aware of this problem the nerve may be permanently damaged.

# 10 See your doctor if you develop red and swollen eyes. This may be due to an allergic reaction to pollen or mold. But you may also be suffering from a more serious condition such as a corneal ulcer. Or even a thyroid problem. And lookout for signs that indicate the eyes may be in trouble. For instance, the inability to read small print, squinting, frowning, undue eye fatigue after reading for only a short time and headaches.

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod