Tips For Better Eye Care

When you talk about eyes, you can not help but remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "One of the most wonderful things in nature is a glance of the eye; it transcends speech; it is the bodily symbol of identity". Nothing can be truer than this. The eyes are a reflection of one's mind and an integral part of one's beauty. Yet it is one organ we take most for granted. We do not even think about it till a problem starts - like irritation, redness or inflammation. While our environment and the natural aging process will surely take their toll on the overall health of our eyes, there are many simple eye care exercises and regimens we could do everyday, which can not only rejuvenate tired eyes but also help us preserve our eyes and eyesight better and longer.

When you see dark circles round your eyes, which could be a result of tiredness or stress, keep two slices of potato or ice cool cotton pads over your eyelids for 20 minutes. You could also replace the potatoes by cucumber slices. Eyes can become sore due to infrared rays or after using water which contains excessive chlorine. Bathe your eyes with a mixture of rose water with about 1-2 tablespoons in distilled water. Sometimes we develop swelling of the eyes, which could be due to excess fluid or toxins accumulated within the eye. If you gently massage round your eyes to activate the lymphatic nerves, you will not only soothe the eyes - you can get immediate relief from the swelling too. Daily eye care also consists of right exercising, eating balanced diets ad making healthy lifestyle choices. Proper daily exercises not only improve your waistline but the higher supply of blood and oxygen to your eyes will keep your eyes rejuvenated and healthy. It can also help prevent or delay onset of many eye disorders including macular degeneration.

Then there are many foods which are particularly useful for maintaining eye health. The old wives tale that carrots are good for your vision is no tale, but true. Carrots contain vitamin A, which reduces the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Dark green, leafy vegetables are also good for the eyes as they contain vital antioxidants which combat free radicals before they have a chance to damage delicate eye tissues.

Smoking is not only injurious to health, but has an adverse impact on the eyes. Quitting smoking can have a major effect on all your body systems, not least of which are the eyes. Non-smokers are at substantially lower risk for cataracts than smokers. Smokers are also at greater risk for various other diseases, which can be linked to vision problems. Many smokers are also affected by smoke irritation causing dry eyes.