Common Eye Problems Affecting Youth And Their Prevention

Have you had a strain on your eyes lately? Are the leaves on the trees starting to blur together into an indistinct mass? Is it getting tougher to read small font alphabets or billboards in the distance? You can discuss your condition with a healthcare expert at emeds or get in touch with an ophthalmologist for an eye checkup.

Eyesight is an important asset that we have. Most of us might take it for granted and rarely bother to make sure if they are doing okay. It's always a good idea to have your eyes checked every 2 years or even earlier if you have a family history of eye problems.

See the following list of these common eye problems, and if they sound familiar to you, it is time for you to pay a visit to the doctor.

1. Excessive Eye Strain

Anyone who has to or likes to read for hours works at a digital screen, or has to drive long distances knows very well about this condition. This condition occurs as a result of overusing your eyes and not giving them a rest. Our eyes get tired and need to rest, just like any other part of our body requires rest to function correctly.

If your eyes are twitching, try and give them some time off all that hectic routine. If they still are weary and tired, get them checked just to rule out the possibility of any other disease.

2. Red And Itchy Eyes

Why do your eyes look bloodshot, have you noticed? The reason for those red and itchy eyes is that their surface is covered with blood vessels that tend to expand when irritated or infected.

Not only infection but eyestrain, nighters, lack of sleep, and allergies can also cause our eyes to look blood red. Get yourself checked if it doesn't go away.

3. Night Blindness

Are you finding it hard to see at night, especially when driving or finding the path in movie theatres? If it has shown up gradually, it can be treated. Some people are born with this issue. Congenital night blindness is developed due to degenerative disease involving the retina and can not be treated.

If you have been suffering from it, be a little extra careful in areas that have low light and visibility.

4. Lazy Eye Syndrome

A lazy eye, also called, amblyopia happens due to one of the eyes not developing correctly. Vision in that specific eye is comparatively weaker, and it moves lazily than the other one.

This problem is usually found in infants, children, and adults but is not commonly seen in both eyes. If you notice your child suffering from this, get them checked as soon as you can.

5. Cross Eyes Also Known As Strabismus And Nystagmus

Both of our eyes need to be aligned with each other, that is how they should be naturally. If that isn't the case with you, when you look at something, there's a chance you might be suffering from strabismus. People also call it crossed eyes or walleye.

It's not possible that this problem will go away on its own and will require serious vision therapy to help strengthen the weak eye muscles. You might need to undergo a procedure to correct it surgically.

6. Color Blindness

Color blindness is when you do not see some specific colors or can not tell them apart. It usually happens with reds and greens. If this is happening to you, you may be color blind. This occurs if the color cells are absent in our eyes or do not work properly.

In some severe cases, you can only see grey.

7. Presbyopia

This is a case when a person loses the ability to see even the closest objects clearly. Despite having a good vision, you can still suffer from this issue. If you have crossed the age of 40 or so, you must've been noticing that you need to hold up a book closer to your eyes to read properly. That is called presbyopia.

8. Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are those tiny spots or stars that move across when you try to look somewhere and interrupt your vision. Most people even experience them in rooms that are well-lit and on a bright sunny day.

This eye condition is considered a normal one, but sometimes, it can indicate a comparatively serious problem that we might tend to ignore i.e. retinal detachment.

9. Dry And Watery Eyes

Dry eyes happen as a result when they fail to produce sufficient good-quality tears. It can leave a person upset and confused because it feels like something is in your eye or severe burning. In rare cases, it can also result in some loss of vision.

To avoid this condition, you can:

• Try using a humidifier in your home if that helps.
• Consult a doctor and get eye drops that might moisturize your eyes.
• Opt for Lipiflow, which uses heat and pressure to treat those dry eyes.

If you have been experiencing this for a long, you might be suffering from dry eye disease.

How To Prevent The Eye Problems In Youth

1. Try To Keep Your Eyes Safe From Sharp Lights

Most of the devices that have LED and fluorescent lights reflect wavelengths, be it near or far. Being exposed to continuous wavelengths can result in slow damaging of our retina. Consequently, a person can suffer from age-related macular degeneration later in life.

2. Protect Your Eyes From The Sun By Wearing Sunglasses

We know that the sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and can severely damage our eyes if exposed for a more extended period. The best recommended practice to avoid this damage is getting yourself sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B protection. Moreover, you can also use sunscreen on the delicate skin around your eyes; if not, wear a hat.

3. Do Not Smoke

Excessive smoking leaves our eyes exposed to high levels of noxious chemicals. This can increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration as well. Avoiding this bad habit can have numerous health benefits.

4. Make A Lifestyle Change And Eat A Balanced Diet

Eating fruits and vegetables every day and making them a part of your life can be really beneficial for your eyes. Opt for foods that are rich in antioxidants such as leafy, green vegetables, and fish.

5. Get Yourself To Exercise Regularly

It's a fact that working out and keeping oneself physically fit can improve blood circulation and increase oxygen levels to the eyes resulting in removing toxins from them.

6. Do Not Forget To Get Your Eyes Examined Regularly

Although the vision remains more or less stable during the years, there are chances that eye problems may develop without any apparent reasons due to some health issues. The best way to avoid this situation is to protect your vision through a regular visit to your ophthalmologist.

Home Remedies For Better EyeSight

Almonds

Almonds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants that improve our eyesight naturally. Moreover, almonds can also improve our memory, power, and concentration.

• To use almonds for better eyesight and memory, make a paste of soaked almonds and drink it with a glass of milk.
• Repeat this regularly for 3-4 months to see improvement.

Fennel Seeds

The nutrients and antioxidants present in fennel seeds help to slow down the progression of cataracts. It also helps to promote healthier eyes.

• To use them, add a cup of almonds, fennel seeds, sugar and grind them to make a powder.
• Have it with one glass of milk every day before going to sleep.
• Use this for at least 40 days to see improvement.

Wild Asparagus

According to Ayurveda, wild asparagus is an amazing ingredient in improving our eyesight.

• To use it, you'll require a teaspoon of wild asparagus mixed with some honey.
• Drink it daily with a cup of warm milk.
• Repeat this for 2-3 months at least.

These remedies and treatments will not help you if you do not focus on prevention. It is imperative to take care of your eyes. Remember, you might not be able to get your vision back entirely once it is gone. Always focus on prevention rather than the cure. Stay happy, healthy, and active.