Eyes are the windows to our soul and our doorways to the outside world. We cannot appreciate and fathom the beauty of nature and all His creations without this wonderful gift. We learn to perceive colors, sights, distances, pleasure, beauty, and even threats to our survival, through what we see and interpret. Actually it is the brain that processes the raw visuals from the eyes and comprehends based on our knowledge of the world around you. You do not directly “see”.
Diet and regular upkeep are two important factors in taking care of your eyes. Eye exercises can restore your sight. Here are some tips to care and heal eyes problems and prevent damage to these delicate and complex marvels of nature.
Natural tips for removing Dark Circles:
- Extract the juice of 3 cucumbers and place dipped cotton pads on eyelids and darkened areas for for 15 minutes. For best results continue for 2-3 days.
- Gently apply a mixture of Tomato pulp (1tbsp), Turmeric powder (1 pinch ), lime juice (1/2 tsp) and gram flour (1tsp) on the eye lids and the darkened areas. Gently wipe off with moist cotton pads after 1/2 hr. Repeat for a week.
Natural cure for Deep Sunken Eyes:
- Apply a mixture of honey (1 tsp) with almond oil (1/2 tsp) gently on the eyes at bedtime. Repeat this for a week.
- Chew about 5 Almonds, soaked overnight and dipped in a glass of milk every morning for 21 days to replenish the visual system.
Natural ways to heal Puffy Eyes:
- Circle closed eyes with 2 halves of raw potato to remove puffiness from eyes.
- Place cotton pads dipped in chilled milk on the eye lids and relax for 10-15 minutes.
- Place cotton pads, dipped in cold water infused with a few drops of Vitamin E, on the eyes for 20 mins every day.
Exercises to reduce Fatigue for Screen Exposure:
- Every 20 to 30 minutes of work, focus on a distant object and blink several times. Normal blinking of 12 to 15 times every minute will help prevent drying of eyes.
- Blink several times, close your eyes and roll them 10 times each in clockwise and anti clockwise direction, while keeping them closed. Breathe normally and slowly open your eyes.
- Palms, warmed by rubbing your palms against each other, can be used to cover your eyes to ease stress and relax the eyes.
- Splashing water on you face during breaks can help in cooling your eyes.
- Stretch your arm out and place your thumb in the hitchhiker position. Focus your vision on your thumb while you slowly bring your outstretched arm closer to your body, until your thumb is about five inches from your face. Slowly zoom the thumb back to its original position, focusing on it with your eyes all the while.
Natural Foods that Nourish the Eyes from the inside out:
- Carrots, loaded with beta carotene, an antioxidant that reduces the risk of macular degeneration.
- Broccoli, bell peppers, and brussels sprouts are also great for your eyes, containing lots of vitamin C.
- Wild salmon and sardines are also healthy options that contain omega-3 fats that protect tiny blood vessels in the eyes.
- Sweet potatoes and spinach contain beta carotene, and spinach contains lots of vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin, vital nutrients to boost eye health.
Precautions to Avoid Harming the Eyes:
- Never look into the sun directly with a telescope or magnifying glass.
- Never rub your eyes too much.
- Reading in dim light can cause eye strain.
- Do not look at the source of bright light directly.
- Wear protective glasses when working with tools, chemicals, etc.
Don’t be your own doctor.
Atleast get yourself checked once every 6 months by an optometrist to help early diagnosis of problems that may be fixed with glasses, contacts, or surgery. They will also check for dry eyes, problems with your retina, and even conditions of the whole body like diabetes and high blood pressure. Some conditions have no symptoms like glaucoma which can lead to total blindness if left untreated.
Diagnosing is important and allows you to seek treatment (of your choice) early.
