It is easy to take our eyes for granted and just assume they will keep working well without any special care. Most of the time that is true but sometimes they do need a little extra attention or treatment. This can take the form of making sure you have regular eye tests; are eating the right foods; doing some simple exercises, getting sufficient rest and relaxation; pampering your eyes with soothing natural herbal remedies or more targeted medical interventions.
- According to a post by Jonathan Healey (@SocialHistoryOx) in Whewell's Gazette there is a 'sensible 17th century medical proverb that 'You should never touch your eye but with your elbow'.' Just as well contact lenses hadn't been invented.
- Rest and relaxation – it is not possible to wear out your eyes by using them too much but they may benefit from a 10 minute break: where you sit back, close your eyes and just focusing on breathing. .Alternatively some simple eye exercises can be useful to remind the focusing system of how convergence and accomodation need to work together for maximum efficiency and visual comfort.
- Natural herbal remedies – the tissues of the eye and the skin around the eye are very delicate and easily damaged so care must be taken when appliing anything within a two centimate area around the open eye. Even if the eye is closed care must be taken as creams and ointments liquify, spreading and penetrating between closed lid margins!. Natural rememdies range form very gentle interventions which are unlikely to harm any bodily tissues to more toxic remedies that used inappropriately could cause lasting damage.
- Medical interventions – benefit from having been tested, approved and licenced to be used in the ocular area. These could be simple soothing drops for dry, sore eyes or surgical corrections for cataract or refractive error.
- Looking after yourself by eating well is not just about your general health but also for your ocular health, read Eating disorders and the eye.