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What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Well-Being

by | Jun 1, 2024 | Manuscripts | 0 comments

Tilottama Basnet, B.Optom

Student, Acharya Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Bengaluru, India

 

Introduction

The eyes serve as perceptive gauges and windows into our general well-being. Variations in vision, the appearance of the eyes, or pain may be indicators of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or even heart problems. (1) The immediate influence of clear vision on daily functioning is highlighted by the fact that it is necessary for jobs like reading and driving.

Eyes as an Health Indicators

The eyes have been interpreted in reverse by cultures all across the world as symbols of both physical and spiritual well-being. For example, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine have traditionally regarded the eyes as diagnostic instruments for evaluating general health. (2) Physical symptoms like redness, swelling, or discoloration can be seen in the eyes, giving visual clues about possible health problems like neurological illness, diabetes, hypertension, body’s immunity, etc. (3) Iritis or uveitis are two disorders that might be indicative of systemic inflammation that affects the eyes.

Vision Issues and Health

Myopia and hypermetropia can result in headaches, eyestrain and trouble performing daily duties. (4) Frequent ocular examinations are essential for early detection and treatment. Vision problems that can damage the eyes include macular degeneration-which damages the central portion of the retina, cataracts- clouding of the lens, and glaucoma-elevated Intraocular pressure. (3) Diabetic retinopathy, which can result in alterations to eyesight and perhaps blindness, can be brought on by diabetes. (5)  Hypertension retinopathy, which affects the retina and causes vision problems, can be brought on by hypertension. (6) For general health and to avoid visual complications, controlling diabetes and hypertension is essential.

Lifestyle and Vision

Eating a balanced diet is essential to keeping your vision healthy. Carrots and leafy greens are good sources of vitamin A, a nutrient that is important for eye health and can help avoid problems like night blindness. (7) Berries and spinach are examples of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants that guard against age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids support the retina’s health. (8) To prevent and treat eye diseases, routine eye exams are essential, a proactive strategy for preserving eye health and averting future issues.

Many eye conditions such as dry eyes, poor vision, and eyestrain can be exacerbated by excessive stress. Prolonged screen usage is one stress-inducing behaviour that may exacerbate these problems. Taking breaks and managing stress can help reduce these symptoms and support improved eye health. Redness, dark circles, and swollen eyes can be caused by stress, exhaustion, or sleep deprivation. (9) Happy feelings can help your eyes appear brighter and more attentive.

Advice for preserving healthy vision throughout life includes regular eye check-ups, a balanced diet, being hydrated, wearing protective Eyewear, following the 20-20-20 rule, getting good lighting when reading or working, and getting adequate sleep. (10)

Conclusion

Your vision is a window into your overall health, taking care of it is essential. Frequent eye exams can identify early indicators of several illnesses. Maintaining healthy vision also improves your quality of life by enabling you to continue being independent and fully involved in daily activities as you age.

 

References

  1. Seelig, M. (2003). The Magnesium Factor: How One Simple Nutrient Can Prevent, Treat, and Reverse High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Other Chronic Conditions. Penguin.
  2. Lemonnier, Nathanaëla; Zhou, Guang-Biaob; Prasher, Bhavanac; Mukerji, Mitalic,d; Chen, Zhue,f; Brahmachari, Samir K.d; Noble, Denisg; Auffray, Charlesa; Sagner, Michaelh. Traditional Knowledge-based Medicine: A Review of History, Principles, and Relevance in the Present Context of P4 Systems Medicine. Progress in Preventive Medicine 2(7):p e0011, December 2017. | DOI: 10.1097/pp9.0000000000000011
  3. Galloway, N. R., Amoaku, W. M. K., Galloway, P. H., Browning, A. C., & Galloway, N. R. (1999). Common eye diseases and their management (pp. 82-83). Springer.
  4. Lajmi, H., Choura, R., Achour, B. B., Doukh, M., Amin, Z., & Hmaied, W. (2021). Headache associated with refractive errors: Characteristics and risk factors. Revue Neurologique, 177(8), 947-954.
  5. Nentwich, M. M., & Ulbig, M. W. (2015). Diabetic retinopathy-ocular complications of diabetes mellitus. World journal of diabetes, 6(3), 489.
  6. Fraser‐Bell, S., Symes, R., & Vaze, A. (2017). Hypertensive eye disease: a review. Clinical & experimental ophthalmology, 45(1), 45-53.
  7. Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG. Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System. J Clin Med. 2018;7(9):258.
  8. Nazrana, N., Jain, T., & Verma, S. (2020). Role of nutrition in maintaining normal eyesight-a review. Int J Med Biomed Stud, 4(3), 194-8.
  9. Sheppard, A. L., & Wolffsohn, J. S. (2018). Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ open ophthalmology, 3(1).
  10. Quiring, R. L., & Riskedahl, D. E. (1989). A computerized optometric correspondence system (Doctoral dissertation, Pacific University).

 

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