10 commandments for the care of your eyes

What are the important ten Commandments Of Eye health and Care 

Ten Commandments for eyes

The care of the eyes and the visual health are one of the main decisions to preserve the well-being. The start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to review ten priority factors in this preventive task. We count on the knowledge and experience of Dr. Elena Barraquer. This is your decalogue

Dr. Elena Barraquer

Dr. Elena Barraquer graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1977 and continued her training in the United States, with a research grant from the National Eye Institute (Bethesda, Maryland).

He continued his curriculum as a Fellow in the Eye Pathology Laboratory at the Wilmer Eye Institute (Baltimore), as a resident of Internal Medicine at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, and from 1984 to 1987 he trained as a resident physician in Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary (Boston).

He then did a Cornea Fellow for two years at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (Miami), and settled in Turin (Italy) at the end of 1989.

She returned to Barcelona in 2002 and assumed the position of Deputy Medical Director of the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center . In his clinical practice, his work area focuses on the anterior segment of the eyeand is a specialist in cataract surgery.

Since 2003, she has been the Executive Director of the Barraquer Foundation, leading medical missions to offer ophthalmological care to people in need around the world.

Dr. Elena Barraquer Ten Commandments for the care of your eyes

Ten Commandments for the care of your eyes

1.- Annual ophthalmological review to detect any ocular problems and ametropias (myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia) as soon as possible. The macular degeneration and glaucoma, among other diseases, have a better prognosis if detected and treated early. Uncorrected refractive errors produce a visual effort with difficulty to focus, eye fatigue and headaches.

2.- A healthy diet is necessary to maintain a good visual function. Vitamins A, C and E, minerals such as zinc and selenium, pigments such as lutein and zeaxanthin and Omega 3 acids, are essential for the retina and to delay the aging of ocular structures. These substances are found in vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, seafood and nuts.

3.- Vitamins and mineral supplements should complement the diet in cases of patients or elderly people who do not have an adequate diet and in patients with ophthalmological pathologies that require a higher intake of them.

4.- The ocular surface remains transparent thanks to the lubrication of the tear film. When we blinked we covered the eye with that film. When we fix the view either on the computer, the television or a book, we reduce the frequency and amplitude of the flicker. This causes ocular dryness with the appearance of discomfort such as redness, pain and lacrimation by reflex. To avoid them, it is advisable to use artificial tears both on these occasions and in adverse environmental situations (heating, air conditioning, smoke, etc.)

5.- Ultraviolet radiation  produces acute and chronic alterations in all structures of the eye. It is essential to shield them, even on cloudy days, after approved sunglasses with guaranteed protection (filter against UV).

Dr. Elena Barraquer / Photo provided by the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center

6.- Practice the sport with the appropriate glasses . This will not only protect the eyeballs from solar radiation but also from possible injuries and damage caused by environmental factors such as wind, dust and sand.

7.- If there is an ocular contaminationby a foreign body or a chemical substance, it is advisable to wash it immediately with plenty of clean water before going to the ophthalmologist. They should never rub their eyes.

8.- Good lighting is essential to reduce visual fatigue. To read we must place the light source behind us and focused on the book. When working with the computer or watching television, light reflections should be avoided on the screen.

9.- Relaxing the ocular structuresresponsible for the accommodation (focus) also reduces the visual stress of a task maintained for a long time. To do this, we recommend that you remove the view of the focused object (screen, book), every 15-20 minutes, for about 10-15 seconds.

10.- Educate the children and make society aware of the necessary measures to take care of the eyes, those organs that allow us to discover and enjoy the wonders that surround us.