Jinha Kim, professor of ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital
Professor Jinha Kim of Ophthalmology.
Recently, with the increase in daily use of computers and smartphones, alarm bells have been raised regarding eye health. Once eye health worsens, it is difficult to recover, so regular care is essential. We learn about lifestyle habits that protect eye health with Professor Jinha Kim from the Department of Ophthalmology, Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University.
1) Reduce eye strain
When reading a book, TV or cell phone, adjust the lighting appropriately to avoid glare and make objects easier to see. Avoid looking at the screen for more than two hours at a time, and rest your eyes by practicing the “20-20-20 rule” of looking 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also, if you have vision problems, it is important to wear glasses or contact lenses that match your prescription.
2) Prevention of dry eyes
If your eyes are dry, they may feel stiff and foreign, and your vision may deteriorate due to exposure to external stimuli. It is recommended to maintain internal humidity at 40-60% and replenish the amount of tears using artificial tears when necessary. Blinking frequently helps relieve dry eyes. If the meibomian glands (sebaceous glands inside the eyelids), which secrete lipids that prevent tears from evaporating and cover and protect the surface of the eye, are inflamed, applying a warm compress or massaging the eyelids may help.
3) Wear adequate eye protection
For eye health it is important to wear adequate protective equipment depending on the situation. High-intensity ultraviolet rays can cause eye disease, so you should wear sunglasses or a hat if you go to a place with strong ultraviolet rays or if you are exposed to bright light in an occupation such as welding. Also wear protective glasses when playing sports or carrying out outdoor activities to protect your eyes from external stimuli. Be careful when looking at bright light reflected from the sea in summer, sunlight reflected off snow in winter, or the sun during a solar eclipse, as retinal damage may occur from the light.
4) Prevent eye diseases with a healthy diet
Vitamins A, B, C and E, which contain antioxidants, as well as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, selenium and zinc, are known as nutrients that are good for eye health and prevent eye diseases caused by aging, such as the macular. degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. A diet that includes strawberries, tomatoes and broccoli, rich in vitamin C, beans and nuts, rich in vitamin E, carrots and pumpkin, rich in beta-carotene, oysters and beef, rich in zinc, and spinach and kale are useful, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Omega-3 fatty acids and fish are known to be beneficial against macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, and diabetic retinopathy. However, dietary supplements should be taken with caution as the effects, risk factors and side effects may vary depending on the individual.
5) Regular exercise and quit smoking
Exercise improves blood circulation, lowers intraocular pressure and prevents metabolic diseases, so it’s good to exercise regularly. However, it is best to avoid exercising in positions that increase intraocular pressure. Smoking is known to increase the risk of macular degeneration by 2 to 4 times, so it is best to quit smoking for your eye health.
6) Avoid rubbing your eyes and be careful about excessive makeup and improper use of contact lenses.
Rubbing your eyes can irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes, causing small blood vessels under the skin to rupture, resulting in dark circles. Rubbing your eyes for a long period of time can cause keratoconus, dry eyes, and retinal detachment, so it’s best not to rub your eyes.
Excessive eye makeup can cause dry eyes and blepharitis, and if makeup residue remains due to incomplete cleansing, it increases the risk of eye infections, so even if you use eye makeup, you need to wash your face completely . Improper use of contact lenses can cause chronic dry eyes, corneal cloudiness, infections, etc., so it is best to take good care of your contact lenses and always remove them before going to bed.
7) Regular eye exams
If a child has symptoms such as decreased vision, turning of the head, or inability to make eye contact, amblyopia or strabismus may be suspected and an ophthalmological examination should be performed immediately. Because eyeglass prescriptions can affect vision development, children and adolescents are advised to wear appropriately prescribed eyeglasses through regular checkups.
In general, adults over the age of 40 are recommended to have an eye exam once a year.
In particular, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are related to retinal vascular disease, so if you suffer from the disease it is recommended to undergo regular eye exams. Because the risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which are the three leading blindness diseases, increases in people age 60 and older, it is a good idea to have a fundus exam once a year to early diagnosis and management.
Although the use of digital devices is inevitable in modern life, it is important to be aware of the effects that excessive screen use has on eye health, rest your eyes frequently, and take appropriate protective measures.
In particular, regular eye exams are essential for detecting eye diseases early and maintaining healthy vision.
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