Contact lens education

Though the world of yesterday may have theorized that a carrot a day could keep the doctor away, modern times call for more modern eye care than a few vegetables and avoidance of glaring into the sun. It is beneficial to recognize that, like most other parts of your body, your eyes are not invulnerable and, as such, require some tender love and care to be maintained properly.

It is understandable that, given the standards of today’s society, eye care may come second or third to moisturizing, hair nourishment and teeth whitening but remember that these physical properties you aim to enhance mean nothing if you’re unable to see them for yourself. There is a reason that over the centuries inventors have persevered more arduously in fixing eye problems than problems pertaining to the other senses; our eyes are a dominant sense that serves as a portal to everything we learn and know about ourselves and the world around us.

Let’s take a look at five essential ways to protect your eyesight and, in a very real way, a part of your own identity:

1. Properly equip yourself for a day outside. Consider what the sun does to a block of ice, and imagine that your eyes are now that block of ice. Ultraviolet rays are capable of causing cataracts as well as macular degeneration, both of which can be prevented by wearing the right pair of sunglasses. (Check the label of your sunglasses to ensure that they have 100 percent UV protection.) Also, bear in mind that the sun shines year-round, not just during the summer heat waves.
2. Don’t be afraid to make an appointment with the eye doctor. It is very easy to let the superficial side of yourself ignore any problems you may be having with your eyesight, but leaving these problems undiagnosed for a simple “peace of mind” will not make your illness or disorder disappear anymore than a female ignoring a lump on her breasts will cure her cancer. Start by scheduling a visit with your optometrist, with a follow-up with the ophthalmologist if necessary. You should be seeing your eye doctor roughly once every two years (with appointments amped-up after age 65), while keeping an open dialogue with your doctor for a “peace of mind” that just might save your eyesight. Be sure that this dialogue also includes a detailed background on your family’s history with eyesight; a growing number of eye disorders are proven to be genetic.  
3. Limit your time with the computer. Constant staring at a computer screen with a backlight will strain your eyes. If you happen to have a job that involves staring at a computer screen, as many modern jobs do, be aware that lubrication of the eyes can prevent potential strain and irritation. Even without the factor of computers/television, a daily regimen of eye drops can help keep your eyes healthily moisturized even as you endure dry-inducing air-conditioned environments.
4. Monitor your diet. Eating carrots may not be the end-all be-all of healthy eyes, but it does play an important role in the process of keeping your eyes strong and sturdy. Be sure to also have a sufficient intake of green vegetables that contain lutein, while avoiding taking in obscene amounts of processed foods that contain fatty acids and vegetable oil. Also, in case you haven’t found enough reasons already, stop smoking. Smoking is a common cause of macular degeneration and optic nerve damage.
5. Safe and proper use of lenses. The only thing worse than not getting glasses when you need them, is not using and caring for them properly. In the case of contact lenses, improper use can result in a scratched cornea, which ultimately leads to infection. To avoid dry eyes and bacterial infections, be sure to never wear your contacts without cleaning them first with the appropriate solution. Be wary of using homemade contact lens solutions for long-term use. And in the event that your contact lenses fail you, always have a pair of eyeglasses with comparable prescription strength around as back-up.