Cataracts–How to Prevent


What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding on the lens of the eye. 

Practice good eye care in these 4 areas:
Lifestyle, Food, Vitamins & Minerals, and Movement

LIFESTYLE

Computers:
Limit your usage of computers, phones and tablets.
The fine print and the glare from touch screens
cause eye strain.
Don’t be abusive to your eyes.
Do a variety of activities daily.
Keep a journal of your weaknesses,
such as keeping track of how many hours each day
you are on devices and reading within a few feet.
Get a baseline.
How many hours a day are you on the computer?
How many hours are you on your Ipad, tablet and phone?
How many hours on the TV?
Tracking the time on electronic devices
for about a week will give a good baseline.
Then, you can set goals and targets to aim for.
Check your usage again every 3 months.
Be careful especially with glossy, small touch screens
that glare and show reflections of you and what is behind you.
Set a bedtime rule for turning off devices at night,
and aim to obey that rule as often as possible.

BODY CARE
Take breaks from close eye work.
Get up and move around once every fifteen minutes
while sitting and focused on mental activities.
Get physical, feed your spirit as well.
Just close your eyes for a few moments.

SPIRIT
Rather than a long list of chores,
have something to look forward to,
that pulls you away from focused eye work.

LOOK AROUND
Use your eyes in a variety of ways
to keep the muscles strong and healthy.
Gaze at landscapes, like a hunter or a photographer, looking for animals.
Look at the moon and stars at night.
Look out of the far corners of your eyes.
Make expressions: widen and squint your eyes, smile.
Rest your eyes, close them gently for a few moments.

DIY FACIAL
Dampen a wash cloth with cool water and wring it out.
Bring a hand towel as well.
Lay down, relax and get comfortable.
Fold the wash cloth over your eyes for 2 – 30 minutes.
Place the hand towel over your neck.
Focus on breathing deeply and slowly.
This feels so wonderful after spending hours on the computer.

LIGHTING
Have good lighting while working on a desktop computer,
also, while reading.
Laying down reading in bed in the dark is probably not a good idea.

OUTDOORS
Wearing ultraviolet light blocking sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat
while walking helps.

FOOD
For bright eyes:
Vitamins: A, C and E – oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds.
Minerals: selenium, copper, zinc – nuts, beans, beef, poultry.
Antioxidants: orange veggies, dark leafy greens, garlic, onions, blueberries, grapes
carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots.
Also, foods with a low glycemic-index will help.
 

MOVEMENT
These simple exercises will help you maintain optimal vision.
Whenever you awaken, go to bed or feel tired, you can refresh your eyes easily.

MASSAGE
Using two fingers,
massage around your temples.
Massage your eyes in a figure-8 pattern.
Rub and squeeze the base of the skull and the upper neck,
at the atlas and axis.
Work out other tension areas of the face, as well.

PALMING
Rub your palms together to create heat,
and then place them against your eyes for a few seconds.

EYE CIRCLES
Start by looking up and then slowly circle
a few times clockwise and then a few times counterclockwise.

FOCUSING
Hold your index finger at arm's length, focus your eyes on it,
and slowly bring it closer until it's about 6 inches away
from your nose.
Then slowly move it back,
keeping your eyes focused on your index finger,
Do several times.

Refs:
http://www.askdrmao.com/
http://www.doctoroz.com/expert/mao-shing-ni-lac-dom-phd
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/mao-shing-ni-lac-dom-phd/3-natural-ways-improve-vision
http://www.sharecare.com/health/eye-vision-health/article/food-for-eyes-2
http://www.sharecare.com/health/eye-vision-health/article/symptoms-of-cataracts
http://www.sharecare.com/health/vitamins-supplements/article/vitamin-C-fights-cataracts
http://www.sharecare.com/health/cataracts/what-is-a-cataract
http://www.sharecare.com/health/cataracts/are-cataracts-serious
http://www.sharecare.com/health/eye-care/how-often-have-eye-exam
http://www.doctoroz.com/topic/eye-care

heal, 2014may14, body, eyes, cataracts, simple daily acts to take good care of your eyes