healthy eyes

Airplane air quality tends to be drier and more irritating to the eye, especially if youre a contact lens wearer, says Dr. Lowe. Using rewetting or lubricating drops in your eyes before boarding (keep the bottle handy during the flight too) is a smart way to prevent irritation caused by dry eyes. Bring along an extra pair of lenses and your glasses, just in case. And while youre on vacation, its never a good idea to expose contact lenses to pool or hot tub water, which is full of irritating chemicals and bacteria that can cause infections.

Egg yolks are also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, but many of us avoid eggs because were worried about their cholesterol content. Research led by Thomas Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor with the Center for Health and Disease Research at the University of MassachusettsLowell, suggests that we shouldnt be so concerned. He found that when people ate eggs regularly

People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop AMD, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The theory is that increased pressure damages blood vessels. This hinders blood flow to the eyes, making it harder for protective nutrients to reach the retina and for damaging freeradical debris to be carried away. Losing extra pounds if youre overweight or obese might also help. Body fat is a major storage depot for fatsoluble nutrients, and excess fat tissue can act as a

Some women experience changes in their eyesight when they are pregnant. Hormone levels during pregnancy can change the thickness of your cornea temporarily causing blurred vision. You may need different or additional vision correction for a few months. If you wear contact lenses, you may find that your eyes are uncomfortably dry during your pregnancy. The good news is that your eyes will return to normal shortly after your baby arrives.

Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. While the connection has not been clearly identified, it is known that smoking increases your risk for a variety of health conditions affecting the eye. To help you quit, visit the American Lung Associations free online smoking cessation program ? Freedom From Smoking

As part of your healthy diet, choose foods rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C; foods like leafy, green vegetables and fish. Many foods ? especially fish ? contain essential omega3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.

An inadequate intake of antioxidants, consumption of alcohol or saturated fats may create freeradical reactions that can harm the macula ? the central part of the retina. Highfat diets can also cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. The eyes are especially sensitive to this, given the small size of the blood vessels that feed them.

The bigger the ball, the less likely an eye injury. Basketballs or footballs are less likely than smaller balls to injure eyes. Squash balls and golf balls, for example, are more dangerous. In a Portuguese study reported in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, squash followed by paintball were the two most common causes of sports injuries to the eye. Most commercial paintball sites insist on eye protection. In Malaysia, where badminton is the national sport, there are many eye injuries from the weighted and feathered shuttlecock.

Eye protection should be used when playing most ball sports, ophthalmologists advise. Most sporting goods stores sell plastic, moulded shields or masks appropriate for different sports. Its generally considered best not to wear contact lenses when swimming. Soft lenses may well up and stick to the eye because of different concentrations of salt and minerals within the fluid inside the lens and in the pool water. In sea water, they may flatten out and also get lost. Wait until they return to their normal shape before removing them from the eye. Its better to use disposable lenses you can get rid of afterwards.

If you do still have to work through the summer ? whether its on a computer screen, Blackberry or iPad ? you should give your eyes a break to keep them healthy.GP and former medical correspondent for The Times, Dr Thomas Stuttaford encourages his patients to take five minute breaks away from the computer every hour when spending long stretches of time working with screens.While computers dont cause lasting damage to the eyes, staring at screens for hours on end is a strain and may cause headaches, eye discomfort and itchiness, says Dr Stuttaford.Make sure youve got adequate lighting where youre working, and rest the eyes by looking at more distant objects and out of the window regularly, he says.Other tips are to keep the screen clean, wipe away fingerprints and try to reduce glare by fixing adjustable blinds to windows.

Whether youre driving cross state or cross country, a summer road trip can take a toll on your eyes. Be sure to aim A/C vents away from your face to avoid getting dry eye. If youre driving (or just a hypnotized passenger) dont forget to blink! Pull over often to refresh your eyes and avoid eye strain and fatigue.