ByZarafshan Shiraz, Delhi

With the elevated publicity to the solar’s harsh rays and prolonged display screen time attributable to digital gadgets, it's essential to prioritise your eye health in the course of the scorching months forward nonetheless, with some easy ideas and common eye check-ups, you may take steps to safeguard your eyes in the course of the summer season season. According to well being and eyecare consultants, retinal ailments like Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy can pose a severe menace to our imaginative and prescient.

AMD is a situation that impacts the macula, the central a part of the retina chargeable for imaginative and prescient, and may trigger imaginative and prescient loss in older adults. Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels within the retina and may result in imaginative and prescient loss.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ganesh Pillay, Medical Director and Consultant at ASG Eye Hospital in Bhopal, “It is crucial to prioritise early detection and treatment of retinal diseases to maintain optimal eye health. Increased exposure to sunlight and prolonged digital device usage can pose challenges to our eyes. Regular eye check-ups can help detect potential issues early on and prevent vision loss. We have observed that 30% percentage of patients seeking help for retinal diseases have already suffered severe damage. Therefore, early detection and treatment, especially for conditions like AMD and Diabetic Retinopathy, are critical to preserving vision and preventing irreversible damage. If you experience any changes in vision or have risk factors, you should seek professional medical advice promptly.”

He advised the next ideas for safeguarding your eyes throughout summers:

• Avoid Prolonged Exposure to Sunlight: The solar's ultraviolet (UV) rays might be dangerous to our eyes, particularly in the course of the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When spending time outdoor, be certain that to put on wide-brimmed hats and sun shades that block 100% of each UVA and UVB rays. This will help defend your eyes from the damaging results of UV radiation and cut back the danger of growing eye situations like cataracts.
• Take Breaks When Using Digital Devices: With the elevated use of digital gadgets throughout summer season holidays or outside actions, it is essential to provide your eyes common breaks. The "20-20-20" rule is a straightforward guideline to observe: each 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and take a look at one thing 20 toes away. This will help cut back eye pressure and discomfort brought on by extended display screen time and forestall digital eye pressure.
• Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection: Sunglasses will not be only a trend assertion, but additionally an important accent for eye safety. Look for sun shades that supply 100% UV safety to defend your eyes from dangerous UV rays. Polarized lenses may cut back glare and supply higher readability, particularly when spending time close to water or in shiny outside situations.
• Regular Eye Check-ups, Especially for Those with Diabetes: Regular eye exams are essential, particularly for people with diabetes. Diabetes can enhance the danger of growing retinal ailments like Diabetic Retinopathy, which may trigger everlasting imaginative and prescient loss if not detected and handled early on. Make positive to schedule common eye check-ups with an ophthalmologist or eye care skilled to watch your eye well being and detect any potential points early.

Protecting our eyes throughout summers is essential for sustaining wholesome imaginative and prescient. By following these easy ideas similar to avoiding extended solar publicity, taking breaks from digital gadgets, sporting sun shades with UV safety, scheduling common eye check-ups and searching for early detection and therapy for retinal ailments, we are able to be sure that our eyes are properly taken care of in the course of the summer season season and past.