What is good for my eyes?

If your eyes aren't doing well, you don't always have to go straight to the ophthalmologist. Home remedies or a conscious approach to the causes can help with certain phenomena. In this article we have put together what is good for you...

… WITH INFLAMMATED EYES?

Not every conjunctivitis needs or can be treated with medication. The annoying inflammation often heals on its own. One or the other home remedy also helps to speed up the healing process.

But watch out! Some home remedies can do more harm than good. One example is chamomile, the classic home remedy. Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect, but can have the opposite effect if used incorrectly. The reason: the flower contains fine hairs that can also irritate the eyes. On the other hand, quark wraps and marigold or eyebright have proven themselves - also as a compress. It is helpful to pay attention to a good diet: Eat less starchy and sugary foods, such as white bread, fatty meat and tea, and instead eat more citrus fruits and fish.

What many do not know: Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. The constant rubbing causes the pathogens to stick to the hands. Even if it's not easy, be careful not to rub your eyes.

… FOR DRY EYES?

The most common reason for dry eyes is screen work. The reason: A person normally opens and closes their eyelid ten to fifteen times. However, most people forget to blink in front of the computer screen. You stare intently at the screen and rarely blink, so your eyes don't get enough moisture. The term "office eye syndrome" has therefore become commonplace in the English-speaking world. But other everyday conditions also put more strain on the eyes than you think: Tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, dry heating air or air conditioning systems cause the tear film to evaporate more quickly.

Take precautions! Look away from the screen more often and be careful not to expose your eyes to excessively dry air. Getting enough sleep is also important so that our eyes can recover and start the new day fit. If necessary, artificial tears can help. Lubricating eye drops are available in pharmacies and are used one to three times a day in case of symptoms.

… FOR SWOLLEN EYES?

The causes of swollen eyes are very different. Sometimes it's just the short night or the contact lenses that you've worn for too long. Of course, swollen eyes in mourning phases are also not uncommon. But what if the eyes swell without lack of sleep or crying? Allergies are often the cause of swollen eyes. The eyes are itchy, red and teary. The reason is often seasonal pollen, animal hair or mites. To determine the cause more precisely, you should do an allergy test. Your ophthalmologist will be happy to advise you further.

Important: Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration helps to increase lymph transport and thus prevent swollen eyes. In the morning you can relieve the swelling with a spoon that has been stored in the freezer at night.

… FOR TIRED EYES?

Eyes that are focused on a monitor throughout the day are exposed to high levels of stress and tire more quickly. Help your eyes by maintaining a good environment. Many workplaces are poorly lit. Ensure uniform lighting that does not create any glare. In between you can train your eyes with small exercises. Sit up straight in the chair and rotate your eyes clockwise five times. Or fixate on points in the distance.

Another fatigue factor for our eyes is the low humidity that prevails in most rooms (especially in the cold season). Regular airing can quickly remedy this: Open your windows once an hour for two to three minutes.

With all eye diseases, you should keep an eye on your diet. The old medical motto "drinking a lot helps" also applies here: make sure you drink enough fluids. In addition to water, herbal teas and fruit juice spritzers are great for covering your fluid needs. It should be 1.5 to two liters per day that you consume in this way. You can also do your eyes good when you eat: raw carrots, blueberries and strawberries provide the eyes with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are important for the production of the visual pigment rhodopsin.

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When you and your family members should get an eye exam?

 Getting an eye exam is important to staying healthy. But do you know when you and your family members should get an eye exam? Do you know what a complete eye exam should cover? Get the right exam at the right time and make sure your vision lasts a lifetime.

When should you have an eye exam?

Childhood eye exam

From birth to adolescence, children's eyes grow and change rapidly. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus have developed specific guidelines for children's eye exams. Follow these guidelines to have your child tested at the appropriate times. These checkups help identify when your child may need a comprehensive eye exam.

Benchmark Eye Exams for Adults

If your eyes are healthy and your vision is good, you should have a full eye exam by your ophthalmologist once in your 20s and twice in your 30s.

There are some exceptions:

If you have an eye infection, injury or pain, or notice floaters and sudden flashes or patterns of light, call your eye doctor.

If you wear contact lenses, go to the ophthalmologist every year.

If you have diabetes or have a family history of eye disease, talk to your ophthalmologist about how often to have your eyes examined.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults have a comprehensive eye exam at age 40. It is then that the first signs of disease or vision changes may appear. It is important to detect eye diseases in time. Early treatment can help preserve your vision.

Not everyone should wait until age 40 to get an eye exam.

Some adults should not wait until age 40 to get a comprehensive eye exam. See an ophthalmologist now if you have an eye disease or risk factors such as:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• family history of eye diseases

After an exam, your ophthalmologist can tell you how often you should have your eyes checked in the future. It is important that you follow the schedule that your ophthalmologist tells you, especially as you get older. The risk of suffering eye diseases increases with age.

Older people and eye exams

Older people and eye exams

If you're 65 or older, be sure to get an eye exam every one to two years. Your ophthalmologist will check for signs of age-related eye diseases, such as:

• waterfalls
• Diabetic retinopathy
• age-related macular degeneration
• glaucoma

Remember, always follow the schedule that your ophthalmologist recommends for future optical check-ups.

What do ophthalmologists check during eye exams?

A complete eye exam is simple and comfortable. It shouldn't last more than 45 to 90 minutes. Your doctor may ask a staff member to do part of this exam. This is what the exam should include:

your medical history

Your doctor will ask about your vision and general health. They will ask you about:

• your family's medical history
• what medications you take, and
• If you wear corrective lenses.

your visual acuity

This is the part of the eye exam that people are most familiar with. An eye chart is read to determine the quality of vision at various distances. One eye is covered while the other is examined. This exam will determine if you have 20/20 vision or not.

Your corrective lens prescription

Your doctor will ask you to look at an eye chart through a device called a phoropter. The phoropter contains different lenses. It will help you determine the best eyeglass or contact lens prescription for you.

your pupils

Your doctor can check how your pupils respond to light by shining a bright beam of light into your eye. The pupils usually respond by narrowing. If the pupils become wide or unresponsive, this may reveal an underlying problem.

your side vision

Loss of side vision (peripheral vision) can be a symptom of glaucoma. This test can detect eye problems that you are not aware of because you may lose side vision without realizing it.

The movement of the eyes

A test called ocular motility assesses the movement of your eyes. Your ophthalmologist checks if your eyes are aligned. He also checks that the eye muscles are working properly.

eye pressure

An eye pressure test, called tonometry, measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular eye pressure, or IOP). An elevated IOP is a sign of glaucoma. The test may consist of a quick puff of air over the eye or the gentle application of a pressure sensitive tip near or against the eye. Your eye doctor may use numbing drops for this test for your comfort.

the front of the eye

Your ophthalmologist uses a slit-lamp microscope to illuminate the front of your eye. This includes the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens. This test checks for cataracts or any scars or scratches on the cornea.

The retina and optic nerve

The ophthalmologist will put dilator drops in your eye to dilate, or widen, the pupil. This will allow him or her to examine the retina and optic nerve for signs of damage caused by the disease. Your eyes may be sensitive to light for a few hours after the dilation.

Other tests during an eye exam

Your ophthalmologist may suggest other tests to further examine your eye. This may include specialized imaging techniques such as:

• optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• fundus photos
• fluorescein angiography (FA)
• topography, which is an examination of the surface of the cornea
• automated field of view

These tests help your ophthalmologist detect problems at the back of the eye, on the surface of the eye, or inside the eye to diagnose diseases early. Each part of the comprehensive eye exam provides important information about the health of your eyes. Be sure to get a complete eye exam as part of your general health care.

Reference: American Academy of Ophthalmology

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10 Tips for Healthy Eyes for the Digital Lifestyle

In this way you can prevent dry eyes or visual stress.

Our eyes have never been so challenged as they are today. Staring at computer screens, smartphones, etc. for hours quickly tires your eyes and can lead to dry eyes, burning eyes, reddened eyes, and even headaches, neck pain, and back pain. In our modern lifestyle, we rarely look into the distance, blink less and often eat at high speed. Did you know that myopia (short-sightedness) appears to be associated with intense near work? This is the subject of science and research worldwide. 

Read what you can do for healthy eyes. 

Our 10 tips for your eye health, for relaxed vision at any age.

Tip 1: Blink.

We now know that dry eyes are also caused by too little blinking, or more precisely, insufficient blinking. Many hours of the day we look at a screen or display. There is usually a lot of focus on being tired. We blink very little to constantly wet the cornea of the eye with tear fluid and thus prevent it from drying out. Actually, blinking is automatic, like breathing. A person closes and opens their eyelids briefly and reflexively about 10 to 15 times per minute. When working on a screen or reading, we unconsciously forget to blink enough due to strong concentration. We literally suppress it. Eyes begin to dry within minutes. The wafer-thin tear film on the eye becomes uneven until it eventually breaks. Vision then blurs to blur. Our body tries to compensate for poor vision. It not only causes eye strain but also fatigue and headache. The following applies: Consciously blink regularly by closing and opening your eyelids briefly and tightly. It also stimulates the so-called meibomian glands at the edge of the eyelids. The meibomian glands secrete an oily fluid that mixes with the tear fluid secreted by the lacrimal glands, preventing the latter from evaporating too quickly. 

Tip 2: Plan to take breaks.

The 20/20/20 rule is a very good gauge for seeing sufficiently far into the distance. Look about 20 meters away for 20 seconds about every 20 minutes. You can also practice this wonderfully during work. This is how you can prevent digital visual stress. Just pretend to think...

Tip 3: Air your eyes.

Like our whole organism, our eyes also need fresh air. A walk helps and can relax overtired eyes. Especially in the cold season, many rooms are overheated and there is not enough humidity. If you then sit in front of the screen or display for a particularly long time, you shouldn't forget to air it out. For higher humidity in rooms, it also helps to set up bowls of water or put damp cloths on heaters.

Tip 4: Eyes love green (stuff).

It used to be that eating carrots is good for your eyes. At that time it was assumed that the macula pigment, ie the pigment that is found in a high proportion in the macula – the point of sharpest vision on the retina – consists of beta-carotene. Today we are one step further. It has now been researched that the pigment consists of lutein and zeaxanthin. Consuming these two substances can help prevent age-related macular degeneration. The foods richest in lutein are kale, spinach, broccoli, arugula, and cabbage — green vegetables. However, it is also known that lutein and zeaxanthin are derivatives of beta-carotene. So eating carrots is also good for our eyes. A healthy and balanced diet is generally important for vision and for the whole organism.

Tip 5: Drink water and get enough sleep.

Drinking enough is very important for dry eyes. Two to three liters of water or unsweetened tea daily ensure that the eyes remain sufficiently moistened. Sufficient sleep also allows the eyes to regenerate. Seven to eight hours a night is ideal. This is pure wellness for eyes plagued by visual stress. Important: Avoid exposure to blue light from displays before bed. Blue light signals your body and eyes: "Stay awake". How about romantic candlelight again? Light has a proven and significant influence as a supporting clock on our sleep-wake cycle. The endogenous hormone melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone, plays an important role here. In the case of intensive exposure to blue light, special receptors in the eye mediate a reduced release of melatonin. The feeling of onset of tiredness is absent or at least delayed. On the other hand, an increase in melatonin release when there is little blue light enables the body to find its way into the important sleep via the actually perceived tiredness.

Water and Sleep for Eye Health

Tip 6: No preservatives, please.

The following applies to cosmetics and eye drops: For the benefit of your eyes, only use the products in unpreserved form. Your optician, doctor or pharmacist can help you with the selection. Eye drops must be sterile to prevent eye infections. Therefore, eye drops that contain more than one dose and are once opened should never be used longer than the specified use-by date. Disposable eye drops are often the better solution. In general, sterility is only guaranteed for the period of use, so do not use eye drops after the expiry date to be on the safe side. 

Tip 7: Massage for the eyes.

A targeted and careful eyelid massage is wonderful for keeping the eyelid glands fit. This supports the function of the eyelid glands for the adequate formation of the tear film, which prevents dry eyes.

Fitness for the eyelid glands, this is how it works:

• Warm the eyelids so that the viscous and thickened secretion in the meibomian glands is liquefied. This works with a washcloth soaked in warm water or a gel mask, which you can briefly warm up in a pot on the stove or oven (max. 60 degrees) over moderate heat. Put this on your eyes for 7-10 minutes and relax. Be sure to check the inside of your wrist before you put the mask on to make sure it is not too hot.
• Then comes the eyelid massage: With this gentle massage, you smooth out the liquefied secretions of the Meibomian glands. With your eyes closed, carefully use a finger to stroke the upper eyelid from top to bottom and the lower eyelid from bottom to top up to the eyelid gap. Lastly, from the outside in to the nose. 
• After the massage, you should gently cleanse the eyelids (upper eyelid from top to bottom, lower eyelid from bottom to top to the gap between the eyelids) with a cotton pad soaked in eye cleansing liquid, working from the outside inwards with your eyes closed.

Tip 8: Please no drafts for your eyes.

Fresh air is good for the eyes, but please no drafts. So avoid direct drafts from air conditioning systems or fans in heavily air-conditioned interiors and also in the car. In this way you can prevent dry eyes and eye infections. It's better to open the window for a while now and then, or darken the room to protect against too much sunlight in midsummer.

Tip 9: First choice - UV protection.

Our eyes need UV protection just like our skin. UV light puts a considerable strain on our eyes. Not only on sunny days, but also on cloudy ones. UV radiation is always there. That is why many skin creams, not just special sunscreens, increasingly contain UV protection. It is less self-evident that the eyes also have to be protected from dangerous UV rays. Like the skin, the eyes can also suffer from sunburn or the retina can be permanently damaged. In the worst case, consequential damage such as cataracts or, years later, age-related macular degeneration can occur. Cancer on the edge of the lid and eye can also be a result of excessive exposure of the eyes to UV light. 

Tip 10: Always the right glasses.

Enjoy life to the fullest. This also includes the best vision and a clear view. Have your vision checked regularly by an optician or ophthalmologist. Choose your glasses according to your vision needs. There are the right lenses for all requirements. For example, for driving, an optimal posture at work or for your favorite sport.

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