Better vision: Vision is our most important sense as our eyesight drives our perception. However, very few people are aware that the eyes are among the first sense organs to become ill and damaged as we age, lead unhealthy lifestyles, smoke, and have hereditary predispositions. 


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Children should take care of their eyes to prevent the early start of retinal illnesses, just as it is necessary for adults and older folks to take care of their eyes to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening events like accidents or falls. Therefore, early prevention of progressive eye illnesses such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy should include regular checkups.


Dr N.S Muralidhar, Ex-President of VRSI said, "In my clinical practice, we see about 60 % retinal disease patients, 10% Glaucoma patients and 30% Cataract patients in a month. The key across all three conditions is timely diagnosis and treatment. Without timely treatment, the condition is allowed to progress, which can result in irreversible vision loss. But this can be prevented."


"An annual, routine eye screening especially for those with diabetes and the elderly population, can help catch it early. Early detection is imperative to enable prompt care and prevent vision loss", commented Dr Muralidhar, now President of Retina Institute Of Karnataka.


Follow these 6 tips to maintain a better vision


1. Regular check-ups


Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining good eyesight, as they can help prevent diseases or detect them early and prevent vision loss.


2. Be well aware of eye-related diseases 


Being aware of eye-related diseases can help you and your caregivers manage them better. Whether it is external damage or an underlying condition, awareness is key to preserving our eyesight.


3. Wear your shades


Macular degeneration is a condition where the macula deteriorates over time which causes blurriness and in some cases blindness. The UV rays of the sun enhance this process, so it is very important to protect your eyes by wearing your sunglasses.


4. Take a break from the screen 


Excessive use of computers, TVs and phones can severely strain the eyes and even cause dry eyes, affecting vision clarity. It is recommended that you take breaks every 30-40 minutes to reduce screen time or try the 20-20-20 rule- look away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds about 20 feet in front of you.


5. Monitor, and control glucose levels and blood pressure 


Monitoring glucose levels is crucial for diabetics if they want to avoid or manage DR. High levels of glucose can cause blindness from DR, while high blood pressure can damage organs like the heart and the eyes.


6. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle entails a healthy diet


Regular exercise and adequate sleep as well as eliminating vices such as smoking and alcohol use. 


Patients need to have an eye screening including a retina examination especially when they are detected to be diabetic and then annually despite not having any visual problems as it may be too late by the time, they start having visual loss. 


The follow-up interval may shorten with the progression of DR. In the case of AMD which is age-related and multifactorial smoking is one of the avoidable causes highlighting the fact that we all need to bring changes in our lifestyle thereby ensuring good eye health. 


Retinal damage cannot be reversed, so you must be disciplined with your lifestyle, regular with your check-ups and adhere to the recommended treatment to prevent damage to the eyes and poor eyesight.


(This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for the advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)