Workout for Your Peepers: Optometrist Approved Methods
Our vision, like our strength to power through an intensive HIIT workout or the endurance to run a marathon, is a precious asset. Unfortunately, eye health can sometimes be overshadowed by our focus on muscle growth and overall body fitness. But no worries, all you fitness buffs and health enthusiasts! It’s time to spot the importance of maintaining healthy eyesight in our daily health regimen—just as we do our abs, biceps and glutes. You wouldn’t neglect those would you?
Eye Complaints: The Usual Suspects
Ever experienced blurry visions, light sensitivity, or ‘floaters’? These are common issues, according to Dr Ronald Benner, which can stem from multiple factors. It could be due to refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (distorted vision), and presbyopia. Improper eye contacts hygiene? Guilty? Wearing expired glasses or excessive screen time? Check and check, right? And let’s not forget aging! It’s like our vision is trying to do burpees and it’s just not nailing the landing. And as Dr. Benner warns—it could be a sign of more severe issues like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or glaucoma. Yikes!
Rare Eye Complaints: Not Just a Vision Issue
Impaired vision can often be a manifestation of underlying serious conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or strokes. Dr. Benner notes that problems might develop without signs, so the vision loss might be advanced before it becomes noticeable. Much like realizing your favourite pants have mysteriously “shrunk” in the cupboard, despite your regular workout routines. Getting regular eye tests, at least once a year, is essential as it ensures early diagnosis and treatment. Yes, think of it as your eye’s annual fitness check-up.
Fighting Against Screen Eyestrain: Eye Workout
In our screen-bound lives, our eyes can get a little overworked—like if you were to attempt a non-stop, 5-hour squat session. Yowza! With continuous screen exposure, dryness and irritation can happen due to less blinking, the equivalent of not hydrating during a workout.
So, what’s the solution you ask? Simple! Eye exercises—like blinking exercises and eye rolls (and no, not the kind when someone tells you they don’t believe in regular exercising). And don’t forget the golden 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes. Eye workouts folks!
Golden Rules to Workout your Eye Health
- Schedule yearly eye checkups. It’s just as non-negotiable as your daily wellness routine.
- Give your eyes a break from screens—no late-night binge-watching sessions or endless scrolling.
- Sunglasses are not just fashion statements—they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. You wouldn’t work out without your trainers, would you?
- Get regular exercise—not just for your bod, but for your eyes too! Improved blood circulation equals healthier eyes.
- Steer clear of smoking—it’s like knowingly gulping down a potion of troublesome chemicals. So, sorry, it doesn’t pair with wine.
Eye-boosting Nutrients: Feed Your Vision
Your plate, like your workout routine, is key to keeping your body and eyes fit. Dr. Benner recommends green leafy vegetables for antioxidants and organic grass-fed beef for beneficial Omega-3, B-Complex, amino acids and trace minerals.
Must-have nutrients include antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, and vitamins C and E, along with zinc—all superheroes for eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in green veggies or vibrant yellow/red foods. Vitamin C is in abundance in fruits and vegetables, while Vitamin E can be sourced from nuts or sweet potatoes. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish and zinc is contained in meat, dairy and all kinds of beans. Your diet, when formulated right, can indeed be a powerhouse of essential eye health nutrients.
So in conclusion folks: Prioritize yearly check-ups, sun protection, eating a nutrient-dense diet and taking regular screen breaks. In other words, what your eyes need is their own workout plan and boost of good, wholesome food. Now, go put your best eyes forward!
Source Article: https://www.newsweek.com/eye-health-exercises-optometrist-1819813
