What is eye health?

Eye health is the state of maintaining normal eye function and avoiding vision loss or eye diseases. As one of the most important senses of the human body, the eyes are subjected to daily stress from screens, light and environmental pressure. Knowing about eye health not only prevents common problems, but also improves quality of life. In this article, we will explain the importance of eye health, common problems, protection methods and practical advice to help you protect this ‘window to the soul’.

Why is eye health so important?

The eyes are responsible for more than 80% of external information input (Source: National Eye Institute). With the advent of the digital age, prolonged use of electronic devices has made eye fatigue and dry eye commonplace. According to statistics, about 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision problems, nearly half of which are preventable (World Health Organization). Protecting your eye health is not only a matter of vision, but also affects your productivity and overall well-being.

Common Eye Health Problems

Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms: Dry, tingling, and fatigue sensation in the eyes.

Cause: Staring at a screen for a long period of time and blinking less, or a dry environment.

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness Symptoms: Blurred vision at near or far.

Causes: Genetics, prolonged close eye use (e.g. reading or swiping mobile phones).

Eyestrain (Visual Strain Disorder) Symptoms: Eye pain, headache, reduced concentration.

Causes: blue light from screens, lack of rest.

Age-related eye diseases e.g. cataract, glaucoma: blurred vision, reduced field of vision, mostly seen in people over 50 years old.

Protecting your eyes is not complicated; here are scientific and practical ways to do it:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule Look at objects 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of work to relieve eye fatigue.

Adjust screen use habits Keep the screen at a distance of 50-70cm from your eyes and switch on the anti-blue light mode to reduce light stimulation.

Supplement your eye nutrition Vitamin A (carrot, spinach): supports retinal health.

Omega-3 (fish oil): relieves dry eye symptoms.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin (blueberries, egg yolks): filter blue light and protect the macula.

Regular Eye Examinations An annual eye examination is recommended, especially for people over 40, to detect potential problems.

Maintain good living habits Drink plenty of water to avoid dry eyes, use mobile phones less before going to bed, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep.

Precautions for using eye products

Eye care products (e.g. eye patches, hot eye masks) on the market are becoming increasingly popular, but they should be used with caution:

Choose mild ingredients: avoid products containing harsh chemicals and give preference to natural extracts (e.g. chamomile).

Control the time of use: Apply hot compresses for 15-20 minutes at a time to avoid overheating and damaging the skin around the eyes.

Consult your doctor: If you have eye problems (e.g. conjunctivitis), seek professional advice before use.

Backed up by data: Eye Health Shocking Facts

Global Myopia: By 2050, 50% of the population is expected to be nearsighted (Nature Reviews).

Screen Time: The average American adult uses screens for more than 7 hours a day, leading to increased eyestrain (American Optometric Association).

Nutritional impact: Studies show that weekly intake of lutein-rich foods can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 20% (National Eye Institute).