World Sight Day 2021: Tips for better eyesight and vision

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October 14, 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

Every second Thursday of October is observed as World Sight Day. For the year 2021, the event falls on 14 October and the theme decided for the same is “Love your eyes”.
This day aims at spreading awareness about the importance of addressing the global burden of vision impairment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from distant or near vision impairment problems.
Some common risk factors of vision impairment may include age, family history, lifestyle, underlying or chronic health complications, and trauma. Our eyes play an important role in our lifestyle and vision impairment and eye-related issues can cause major disruption and discomfort in life.

Tips to improve eyesight

Here are some ways in which you can improve eye health:

Manage your screen time: Experts have been emphasizing the need for management of screen time ever since the evolution of digital technologies and increased screen activities. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant increase in screen time due to the shift in work-related and educational activities. Prolonged time spent on screen can cause dry, itchy, or red eyes. Therefore, effective screen time management methods are important to ensure eye health.
Shield your eyes: It is essential to shield the eyes at all times to reduce the risk of sustaining injuries or encountering other eye-damaging circumstances. When out, use glasses to prevent pollutants, diet, and other particles from getting in the eyes. Protective gear must be worn while indulging in sports and other physical activities. Also, make sure that you maintain distance when around people suffering from communicable eye diseases.
Eat well: A healthy and balanced diet can improve eyesight. Consume foods that are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants to enhance eye health. Some common plant-based foods that you must consume are kale, spinach, citrus fruits, and nuts. Some common animal-based foods that you must consume are eggs, salmon, chicken, and oysters.
Regulate your lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of deterioration of eye health to significant extents. This regulation can include moderating alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, providing the eyes with proper rest, and practising eye exercises.
Get screened: Aggravation of various eye diseases such as tumours, glaucoma, cataracts, and more can be prevented with timely screening. As age is a major risk factor of deterioration of eye health, the need for regular screenings and eye checkups must be a priority for people over the age of 40. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs and an individual’s medical history to ensure getting help on time.