Can you clearly see objects near you but not the ones that are at a distance? You may be suffering from nearsightedness. Just like what the name says, it’s a condition wherein you have a hard time seeing objects that are far away.
Medically known as myopia, nearsightedness is a common eye condition. In fact, it is said by the American Optometric Association that as much as 30% of people in the US are suffering from nearsightedness. According to some eye specialists, it is possible for nearsightedness to eventually cause eye damage that can lead to loss of vision!
Headaches, eye strain, sensitivity to light especially at night, and frequent squinting — these are some of the telltale signs that you have nearsightedness other than the fact that only objects near you appear clear. Most of the time, nearsightedness is due to genetics. This means that the eye condition may be passed from parents to offspring. Experts say that focusing on near objects all the time can also leave you suffering from nearsightedness.
It is important to be checked by an ophthalmologist, a person who is specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems, if you feel that you have nearsightedness. He or she can identify if you indeed have the said eye condition, as well as provide the right treatment course for it.
There are also a few natural ways to deal with nearsightedness. Continue reading to know some of them. Remember: having your eyes checked by an eye specialist should be the first step you need to do!
Don’t Forget to Take Frequent Breaks
No matter if playing video games, watching a sitcom, reading a paperback novel or completing an office report, always take frequent breaks. Letting your eyes rest once in a while is one of the most effective ways to help keep nearsightedness from worsening. Frequent breaks also helps ward off nearsightedness symptoms such as eye strain and headaches.
Limit Your Time in Front of Display Panels
Refrain from sitting in front of the TV continuously for several hours. Also, see to it that the TV is not too near the couch. It’s not just spending too much time watching the TV that you should avoid, but also the excessive use of anything with a display panel — a smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
Exercise Your Eyes on a Regular Basis
If you know the importance of working out your body regularly, then you should also start exercising your eyes. This is something that can relieve eye muscle tension as well as enhance blood flow to the eyes, helping to improve nearsightedness. All you need to do is rotate your eyeballs clockwise for 10 seconds, then counterclockwise for another 10 seconds. Another eye exercise involves looking up and down 10 times, then looking left to right 10 times.
Ensure There’s Sufficient Lighting
Reading or writing in low-light conditions can wreak havoc to your eyesight! That is why you should carry out your various tasks that require the use of your eyes only when sufficient lighting is present. Otherwise, you will only end up straining your eye muscles and this could lead to nearsightedness if it happens all the time.
Consume Foods Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals
Proper nutrition is one of the most effective ways to help combat nearsightedness. In other words, you should have a well-balanced meal each time if you want your eyes to stay in tip-top shape. Include more fruits and vegetables in your everyday diet as they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. The likes of vitamins A and C, as well as zinc are proven to help ward off nearsightedness as well as many other problems concerning the eyes.
