How to Improve Eyesight: Best Natural Ways to Enhance Vision

Just like our body, our eyes also need a lot of care and timely attention. Maintaining the health of our eyes and improving the vision should never be neglected due to the changing lifestyle.

What is a Normal Human Vision?

Normal vision is defined as 20/20. The term 20/20 is also called as visual acuity measurements. It means that a person can view the same line of letters from 20 feet than any normal person. The size of the letters on one of the smaller lines near the bottom is standardized to correspond with a normal vision which is the 20/20 line. If these letters can be identified, it means the person has normal vision.

What are the Symptoms of Vision Problems?

Below are the signs and symptoms one should make note of when it comes to the health of the eyes. Visiting the doctor is necessary to detect the cause of the symptom.

• Swollen red eye
• Hazy or blurry vision
• Double vision
• Severe eye pain
• Painful sensitivity to light
• Itching or burning sensations in the eye
• Color changes in iris
• Severe headaches

What are the Common Vision Problems?

The common vision problem is termed as refractive errors, also known as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. When the shape of the eye prevents the light from directly focusing on the retina it leads to a refractive error. People may have one or more of these conditions.

Nearsightedness- Very well known as myopia. In this condition objects closer appear clearly whereas far away objects appear blurry.

Farsightedness – Also known as hyperopia, this condition occurs when objects which are at a distance appear clearly than objects which are closer. This is a common type of refractive error.

Astigmatism – Eye does not focus light on the retina evenly. In this condition, images appear stretched out and blurry.

Presbyopia – This is a condition related to age in which the ability to focus becomes difficult. As one gets old, the lens no longer changes its shape enough to allow the eye to focus on objects which are closer.

What are the Causes of Bad Vision?

Bad eyesight is the result of ignoring the health of eyes for over a period of time. Below are the causes of bad vision: 

Ignorance on the Diet – Improper eating pattern or lack of nutritional food causes bad vision.

Stress & Tension: - Unwanted tensions, nervousness, mental and physical stress also adds to the deteriorating health of the eyes.

Eye Fatigue – Fatigue caused to the eyes by not taking out some time to relax the eyes is also a common factor for bad vision.

Straining of the Eyes: - Completely focusing or staring at an object for a long period of time without sufficient breaks causes strain to the eye muscle which leads to blurriness and headache.

Best Ways to Improve Eyesight

In today’s world with technology all around us, we are always glued to the screen, be it television, the computer screen, the mobile screen or books. It becomes really difficult to take out some time to take care of our eyes. Eyes are more prone to fatigue or age-related problems. Below are some simple practices one can follow on a daily basis to improve eyesight.

Better Nutrition: - It is really important to maintain a proper and well-planned diet. Eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables helps in improving eyesight. Every organ in our body has various needs for proteins, vitamins & minerals. Similarly, our eyes also need the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

• Vitamins such as A, C, E are all important for a healthy eyesight.
• Minerals like copper and zinc are essential.
• Antioxidant-rich foods protect the macula from sun damage. We get these antioxidants from egg yolks, sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkins.
• Foods such as garlic, capers and onions are rich in sulphur, lecithin and cysteine. These help protect the lens of our eye from the formation of cataract.
• DHA is a fatty acid which provides support to the cell membranes and boosts the health of our eyes. This is found in cold water fish such as mackerel, cod and sardines.

Adequate Rest: - Nutrition alone is not enough for maintaining good health of our eyes.

• Adequate rest during the course of the day is also of utmost importance. Getting around seven to eight hours of proper sleep in the night is very important for the health of your eyes. Well rested eyes function better.

• If you are working in an office staring at your computer, then it is better to take at least 10 minutes break for every hour spent in front of the screen.

Perform Eye Exercises: - Strengthening the eye muscles is also a need of the hour in today’s time. There are certain eye exercises which can be carried out anytime during the day. These exercises are meant to improve the vision and strengthen the eyes. Make sure to feel relaxed before performing these exercises.

• Before starting any of the exercises give a small warm up to your eye. Rub your palms to create some heat and then place them on your eyes for few seconds. While performing this make sure to keep your eyes closed and relaxed. Perform this in three sets. Slowly open your eyes once they receive the warmth.

• Rolling is one of the easiest exercises. Start by looking up and then circle clockwise and then anti-clockwise. Repeat the same for ten times.

• Stretch your right hand ahead pointing your thumb. Focus your eyes on the thumb. Slowly move your hand to the right and then left with your eyes completely focused on the thumb. Bring your hand closer to your face keeping a distance of six inches then move it back again. Your eyes should be completely focused on the thumbnail. Carry out this for at least five times.

Remember to stop any type of exercise the moment you feel a strain on your eyes.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, below are also to be incorporated in our day to day routine: 

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: - Do not stare at the sun as it is direct contact with UV rays which can cause harm to your eyes. Too much UV exposure makes you prone to macular degeneration or cataract. Instead, use sunglasses to block the UVB rays.

Increase Fluid Intake: - Less water intake in your body also affects your eyes. It causes dryness and your eyes would look tired and blurry. Hence it is important to have liquids in a healthy format at timely intervals.

Say No to Smoking: - Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of eye problems when growing old. Hence one should stay away from smoking.

Say No to stress: - Reduce the mental stress and tension caused due to your current lifestyle.

Blinking: – Batting those eyelids is a natural way to moisten the eyes and provide some relief. Blink after every six seconds. Ensure to make it a habit.

Freshen Your Eyes: – The first thing in the morning to do once you wake up is to splash your eyes with fresh clean water. It will make your eyes look brighter and will also sharpen your vision.

Air Quality: - Dryness in your eyes is caused by the lack of moisture on the surface of the eyes. Use humidifier to moisturize your house and workplace.