The eyes are among the most delicate and sensitive organs in the human body and help us in seeing this fascinating world. Unfortunately quite often ignored by most. It is vitally important that you make eyecare a part of your daily routine with the help of these useful home remedies for tired eyes.
Without proper knowledge on how to relieve tired eyes, you may be at risk of developing far or short-sightedness, along with more severe ailments of the eye. Constant strain to the eyes from electronic gadgets like your smartphone or computer screen is all the more reason to indulge in these home remedies for tired eyes. Moreover, certain seasonal ailments of the eyes can be quite debilitating if you do not indulge in regular care for your eyes at home. For example, conjunctivitis, eye stye, dry eyes and corneal ulcers, are some of the eye problems associated with the monsoon season.
Here are some useful tips on how to relieve tired eyes and that too from the comfort of your home:
This is by far the most important tired eyes remedy that can help to reduce strain on the eyes. Ambient lighting during several activities plays an important part in reducing strain on your eyes. For example, you need to adjust the light during reading in such a way that it falls on the page you’re reading instead of on your face. Similarly, the brightness of your mobile devices should be adjusted well in order to reduce strain from long hours of viewing.
The recommended distance for looking at a computer screen is usually 20 to 25 inches. However, most of us do not always stick to this thumb rule and usually find ourselves in a more ergonomic position which may not be very healthy for the eyes. Therefore, yet another remedy for tired eyes is to invest in some prescription computer glasses that can protect your eyes from the harmful effects of screen gazing.
One of the best home remedies for tired eyes is to apply a warm compression on your eyes. You can do this by soaking a soft but thick cloth in warm water and applying it over your closed eyes for a relaxing few minutes. This helps to add moisture to your eyes, relieve eye aches, increase blood flow in the capillaries of the eyes, as well as relax the eye muscles. Doctors usually recommend boiling the piece of washcloth before applying it to your eyes. Make sure the temperature of the cloth is just lukewarm and not too warm.
You can easily repurpose used tea bags as a cold compress to help relax your eyes. After brewing tea, you need to place the used tea bags in a clean container and put them inside the refrigerator. Then, you need to clean and wash your face to ready yourself for a soothing cold compression. Place the cold tea bags on your closed eyes and ensure that granules of tea do not get into your eyes. This is also one of the more useful home remedies for tired eyes and can help in a significant reduction of eye swelling and aches.
Doctor William Bates developed an ingenious and highly effective tired eyes remedy, which requires only your hands. By simply placing your palms over your closed eyes for a few minutes and relaxing, you can reduce eye staring significantly. Although this method does not help in the treatment of eye diseases, it is an effective remedy for relieving eye aches that occur due to stress.
Apart from these general eye care tips and home remedies for tired eyes, you need to take special care of your eyes during the monsoon months. While the general guidelines of not rubbing your eyes with unclean hands or sharing your handkerchief still apply, the most important thing is to maintain a healthy diet. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and green leafy vegetables is ideal to maintain the good health of your eyes. Take frequent breaks while working on screen and keep yourself physically active.
In case of any disturbance in vision, pain, itching or redness in the eyes, visit an eye doctor and do not self medicate. With this knowledge on how to relieve tired eyes, you will be able to maintain good health of your eyes and to some extent can also avoid the onset of for or short-sightedness as well.
Also Read: Is a Stye Contagious? Unraveling the Truth Behind Eye Infections
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More than three decades ago, the introduction of computer transformed workstations. Moreover, personal computers with Internet capabilities at home have led to a progressive increase in computer usage. This may affect our healthy vision.
Before the arrival of computers, office work involved a variety of activities including typing, filing, reading, and writing. Of note is the fact that each activity was sufficiently wide-ranging in the wants of posture and vision. These activities mandated a natural break from the previous activity. Nevertheless, the introduction of computers combined these tasks to where most can be achieved without moving from the workstation. While work has become easier and faster, it doesn’t fall in line with a healthy vision.
Also, reading text on paper is generally done while looking downwards; therefore, the eyelid covers a significant portion of the front surface of the eye, thus decreasing the evaporation of tears. Whereas, when we read on a computer screen, the gaze is horizontal which leads to increased evaporation of tears from the eye surface.
Strategies for promoting healthy vision include: Getting comprehensive dilated eye exams regularly. Making healthy choices like getting active, and eating healthy foods. Wearing sunglasses whenever you’re outside and lastly following the 20-20-20 rule while looking at screen.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Further, compared with equivalent hard copy reading, a higher percentage of incomplete blinks occur during computer screen reading, which may be the reason for increased visual fatigue. Other eye-related symptoms may include eye strain which includes pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, headache, and occasional double vision and dry eye, irritated eyes, watery eyes. Brightness or direct glare conditions also cause increased eye strain and development of neck pain, shoulder pain. The type of light discharged by a computer screen affects the alertness and thought performance levels and various 24-hour cycles in one’s body.
Some symptoms like blurred vision need a correction to optimize patient comfort during computer operations.
Some studies have shown that the use of font type Verdana for the presentation of individual alphabets on various electronic displays reduces mental workload.
Also Read: Misdiagnosed Eye Conditions: Is it Pink Eye or Something Else?
Some other ways in which you can reduce workplace-related eye problems and improve comfort are listed below:
Also Read: How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy?
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
Your eyes are priceless! That is why on World Sight Day (10th October this year) doctors come together to spread awareness about the challenges your eyes face and how you can take better care of them. As we grow older, our eyesight diminishes and eye-related problems begin to crop up. While it is quite natural for our bodies and organs to deteriorate with age, you can slow down the process. With these practices, you can avert eye problems for a long time.
Some people are more prone to vision impairment and illnesses of the eyes than others. Here is a list of factors that put you at risk:
Once you are aware of these risk factors, you will know if there is a higher chance of damage to your eyes. Based on that you can take appropriate action.
Most people with high blood sugar or diabetes have been diagnosed with some form of eye disorder. Diabetes damages your eyes. If you have exceeded the normal blood sugar range, then you must bring it down at all costs.
High blood pressure exerts a force on the vessels that carry blood to your eyes and damages them which in turn affects your eyes health. That is why, if you have hypertension, your eyes will become vulnerable to damage.
Whether you have diabetes and hypertension or not, it is very important to regularly monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar. Monitoring will show you whether the treatment is working and for those people who have not contracted either of these disorders, regular checks will tell them if they are inching closer to the danger mark.
Remember, as you grow older, both high blood pressure and blood sugar become more likely. Measure blood pressure every month and get a blood sugar test every 3 months.
Prolonged use of a digital screen can disturb the sleeping pattern. The eyes may become tired from the blue light that digital screens emit. The influence of blue light on the eyes can be reduced by the availability of blue light filter settings on many gadgets, especially those used at night.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Illnesses of the eyes do not strike suddenly. They set in slowly and exhibit symptoms. You have to always watch out for the slightest changes such as:
As soon as you notice these signs, seek medical help because timely treatment will halt the deterioration of your eyes.
UV rays can damage your eyes. That is why when you go out into the sun, wear sunglasses or opt for photochromic glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun.
If you work in front of a computer, modify the screen brightness keeping with the ambient light of the office room. Wear lenses that negate the blue light that emanates from computer screens or stick an anti-blue light screen guard to your computer or laptop.
Don’t stare at the screen for long stretches of time. Every half an hour, close your eyes and let them rest for a few minutes. Blink often to layer your eyes with a coating of moisture.
Read More: How to Take Care of Your Eyes
Both active and passive smoking increases the risks of vision problems in old age such as cataracts, macular degeneration and uveitis. So kick the habit and if you are not a smoker then steer clear of passive smoking.
Read More: 10 Ways to Quit Smoking
Several studies have proved that rigorous physical activity especially fast walking can ward off age-related eye illnesses. Read more about the health benefits of exercise.
Vitamins, antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids can improve your eye health and reduce risks of cataracts and macular degeneration. So make sure your diet consists of foods rich in these nutrients. Read more about the best foods for eye health.
Eyes damage can be debilitating. But you can avert that fate by adopting these tips.
Read More: Eye Care Tips for a Healthy Vision
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
