The Shower Diva: Where Fun Reigns!

Protecting Your Vision

We are focused this month on photography and memories that we can see so we find it only natural to talk about the care of your eyes. This month Nurse Nancy brings to you real meaningful suggestions on how to care for and protect your precious vision.

"Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light" So begins our national anthem, and it reminds me of the necessity of caring for our vision if we are to function effectively in the world. Yet there are so many aspects of modern culture that can adversely affect our eyes and decrease our ability to see. Staring too long at the TV or computer screen, working in dim lighting, solar radiation, poor hygiene when wearing contact lenses, side effects of some medications, and air pollution are just some of the assaults on our vision that we encounter every day. What can we do? How can we reduce the negative effects of the modern world on our sense of sight?

For a good general overview, the US government has an informative website "Taking Care of Your Eyes". This site has loads of links, including good tips for first aid when your eyes have been exposed to foreign objects or flash-burn from bright UV light (or those July 4th Sparklers). Another good general resource is "How Stuff Works" which not only covers eye care, but discusses diseases that can affect your eyes. Sometimes knowing what symptoms to look for can get you to the ophthalmologist in time to prevent a potentially devastating vision problem. You only get one pair of eyes, after all.

There is a lot you can do to keep those 'windows to your soul' sparkling and sharp, starting with your diet. Did your mother ever counsel you to 'eat your carrots they're good for your eyes?' Maybe mom was smarter than she knew. Studies have shown a distinct link between our eating habits and our senses, especially our vision . There are also a slew of vitamins and supplements out there that can help protect and enhance our vision, including beta-carotene, which is what gives carrots their bright orange color . Besides your diet, your eyes can also benefit from exercise to decrease eyestrain. You can even improve your night vision, when you know how to take advantage of the eye's structure and adjust your actions accordingly. One trick is to use your peripheral vision when moving through an area in low light. This is because the 'cone' cells are located all over the retina, while the 'rod' cells, which are better at detecting movement and low light vision, are missing from the very center of the retina. So try not to look directly at what you're trying to see, when walking through a dark room. You may avoid a few bruises and bumps that way, too.

Finally, we've all had those mornings when we look in the mirror and are horrified to see a tired-looking, baggy-eyed woman staring back at us. How to get rid of that haggard look, and present a refreshed, happy face to our clients, coworkers, and bosses? Of course, a good cold-water splash can help a little, but if you have a few extra minutes in the morning (or if you know in advance you're going to have a late night, you can do this ahead of time) try this method: Chill two soaked tea bags, then take them from the fridge and squeeze out as much moisture from them as you can. Place them on your eyes and lie down for 5 10 minutes. The excess fluid in your eyes will literally move from your body into the tea bags, giving your eyes a rested, alert appearance. Another useful tool is acupressure, a close cousin to acupuncture, but minus the needles, and easily done by yourself. Pressing on the narrow area on either side of your nose, right at the level of your eyes, can help relax the muscles, and drain the fluid from those bags. You can even do this one at work, or sitting in your car waiting for the light to change.

The best defense of your vision is a good offense. Get the right amount of sleep, toss out the cigarettes, go easy on the alcohol, eat sensibly and learn how to manage stress in a healthy way. Easier said than done? With a little practice, and a commitment to making healthy changes, you can keep your vision clear and sharp well into your 'golden' years.

Nancy Miller, RN, BA Psych, CHyT

Nancy Miller got her RN degree in 1975 and went on to earn a BA in Humanistic Psychology from Goucher College in 2002. She's also a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. Nancy is the mother of one child, her 24 year old son Eric, of whom she is extremely proud.