As college students, most of us haven’t really thought about the benefits of good eyesight. As the records indicated in the World Report on Vision published by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2.2 billion people were visually impaired or blind worldwide in 2019. Interestingly, women are genetically more vulnerable for optical disorders than men. According to the WHO report, women, on average, live longer than men, and are thus at greater risk of developing eye conditions associated with aging. In light of National Women’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month, we are celebrating by sharing tips that you could practice everyday and incorporate into your own routine.
1. Minimize Screen Time
Under current circumstances, I know this can be difficult. But undoubtedly, spending too much time on electronic screens is one of the main causes for college students’ vision loss. Eye fatigue can slowly damage your eyes. Long-term exposure to fluorescent lighting, such as TV, phones, and laptops, can also cause vision decline.
2. Wear Sunglasses
Putting on shades could help you avoid retinal injury, because of the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Shielding your eyes can prevent dust and strong light exposure from harming your eyes. Plus you’ll look so fashionable!
3. Massage Your Eyes After Work
There are helpful YouTube tutorials that guide on how to get rid of puffy eyes, dark circles, and strain. Check them out!
4. Sit Farther From Your Screen
Right now, we are all lying back on comfy sofas or armchairs and taking online classes. But the underlying problem is that the desks and chairs might not be ideal for your head position and body posture. They are not convenient for us to hold an appropriate eye distance from the screen. Poor lighting in the room also causes myopia. So, pay attention to how close you are to the screen; if you’re too close, back up!
5. Remove Eye Makeup Carefully
Eye makeup can be damaging if you’re not careful! Itchiness or pain may arise from applying false eyelashes, eyeliner, mascara, or eye shadow. Although there are no direct effects on vision, there could be potential threats for further eye diseases. Contact lenses are another concern as well. For folks like me who wear contacts on a daily basis, we have to keep them clean and moist at all times. Try not to rinse lenses or cases with tap water. Also, never wear contacts to sleep!
6. Eat Your Veggies
Want 20/20 vision? Well, I can’t help you there. But, make sure you’re eating fish, nuts, green leafy veggies, carrots, and yam. No matter where your vision status is at right now, it is never too late to add it into your diet and improve!