Category: eye

Categories
eye

Get Your Dry Eye Relief The Natural Way

Get Your Dry Eye Relief The Natural Way

Get Your Dry Eye Relief The Natural Way

[nextpage title=”…”]

Everyone experiences eye dryness at one time or another. Windy weather can whisk away lubricating tears or time in front of a computer screen (when people do not blink often enough) prevents moisture from bathing the eye. However, dryness has a number of other causes.

Dry Eye Relief The Natural Way

• An insufficient quantity of tears is often a byproduct of growing older or using certain medications, such as those which treat high blood pressure, allergies, and depression.
• A number of medical conditions are also culprits. Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder characterized by dry eyes, weakness, and joint pain), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyes’ surface) contribute to the condition.
• Since tears consist of three components, a layer of water sandwiched between an oily layer that keeps the water from evaporating and a mucus layer that ensures that tears spread evenly, an insufficiency of any of them can bring on dryness.
• Women experience dry eyes more than men, primarily due to fluctuations in hormone levels caused by pregnancy, oral contraception use, and menopause.
• Extended use of contact lenses and refractive eye surgery like LASIK can lessen tear production.

RELATED ARTICLE: Twitching Eyelids Could Be A Sign Of THIS Serious Disease – Don’t Ignore It!

Treating ocular dryness is vital. Corneal scarring and ulceration can result from untreated dry eyes as can vision loss. For some affected individuals, driving, reading, and taking part in other activities that require eyesight become a major challenge. (One sufferer had difficulty with the eye exam when she renewed her driver’s license.)

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”…”]

Happily, people do not have to live with the gritty feeling, discomfort, and even visual effects that are hallmarks of the condition. Over-the-counter and prescription drops and gels provide immediate and long-lasting relief. However, they have a downside: many contain preservatives and other ingredients that can be detrimental to eye health.

Fortunately, there are drug-free treatments that relieve dry eyes. Here are five tried-and-true natural remedies.

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids. A study out of Harvard University found that consumption of foods containing this vital substance provides protection in women. Adding salmon, tuna, and walnuts to the menu is an easy and tasty way to keep eyes lubricated.
• Flaxseed Oil. Apply it around the eyes before speedy relief. Be careful not to get the oil in your eyes. Consume it for additional benefits.
• Fennel. Take dried fennel, boil it, and soak a cotton cloth in it. Place the cloth on your eyes. It only takes a few minutes to experience relief. Doing this regularly will keep eye dryness at bay.
• Chamomile Tea. Cotton balls soaked in cold chamomile tea and placed on your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes work wonders. Doing this three or four times a day will result in a noticeable lessening of dryness and irritation.
• Paprika. This red spice is loaded with anti-oxidant vitamin A. Using it in cooking will make dry eye symptoms a thing of the past.

Utilizing these readily available remedies will guarantee relief from dry eyes and prevent lifestyle-altering complications of the condition. Keeping these vital organs lubricated and protected is as easy as a trip to the supermarket.

[/nextpage]

Categories
eye

The Gross, Scary Truth About Common Microbes Living On Your Contact Lenses

The Gross, Scary Truth About Common Microbes Living On Your Contact Lenses

The Gross, Scary Truth About Common Microbes Living On Your Contact Lenses

In this Gross Science video from PBS Digital Studios, Anna Rothschild warns those who wear contact lenses about the dangers that can arise from wearing contacts for an extended period. Watch to learn how common bacteria, fungi, viruses, and amoebas can eventually eat your eyeballs if you aren’t careful to disinfect your contact lenses properly or follow your eye doctor’s recommendations.

The Gross, Scary Truth About Common Microbes Living On Your Contact Lenses

RELATED ARTICLE: If You Wear Contact Lenses Don’t Let This Happen to You!

Anna explains how trapping the before mentioned bacteria, fungi, viruses, and amoebas against your eye can lessen the eye’s lighting-fast immune response, allowing these critters to grow resistant to further immune response and even to your favorite contact disinfectant solution as well. She gives us pertinent information about Microbial Keratitis, the disease which can develop from this resistance, and cautions contact lens wearers to remove their contacts and call their eye doctor immediately should they notice eye pain. Failure to do so could lead to blindness.

Categories
eye Symptoms

Twitching Eyelids Could Be A Sign Of THIS Serious Disease – Don’t Ignore It!

Twitching Eyelids Could Be A Sign Of THIS Serious Disease – Don’t Ignore It!

Most people experience some eyelid twitching, medically known as blepharospasm, at some point in their life. This twitching is usually benign, but there are a wide variety of possible causes, from fatigue, to inflammation, to nerve damage. By determining the underlying cause of twitching eyelids, you can figure out how to treat it.

Common Causes of Eyelid Twitching

Most causes of eyelid twitching fall under the category of a minor eyelid twitch. A minor eyelid twitch is caused by an external factor, such as fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, and the use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. A minor eyelid twitch may disappear soon on its own, but you can improve the chances of it disappearing by reducing or eliminating your intake of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine; getting enough sleep, and relieving stress in healthy ways.

Many people occasionally suffer from dry eyes. Dry eyes are caused by not having enough tears lubricating the eye. Dry eyes may be red, itchy, have a burning sensation, and may occasionally twitch. Dry eyes can be caused by a number of things such as windy weather, smoking, aging, or underlying eye problems, and can cause tiny abrasions on the surface of the eye if left untreated. Fortunately, dry eyes are very simple to treat with over-the-counter artificial tears, available in drop and ointment form.

Light sensitivity can also occasionally cause an eye twitch. This condition is more common in people with light-colored eyes. Being overly sensitive to light can cause eye pain, headaches, and nausea. If you think you may be sensitive to light, wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses that offer UV protection.

Pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the lining of the eye. Pinkeye can be caused by things like infections, dry eyes, chemicals or fumes, and allergies, and usually goes away on its own after about a week. However, viral or bacterial pinkeye is very contagious, so if you have it, avoid spreading it to others.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Things Your Eye Color Reveals About Your Health

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Most cases are caused when the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become clogged. Blepharitis can cause irritation, redness, crustiness, and other symptoms. Blepharitis can usually be managed with daily gentle eye-washing with warm water. Artificial tears can also help. If your blepharitis isn’t successfully treated at home, see your doctor determine the underlying condition causing your blepharitis and to find treatment options.

When eyelid twitching occurs on its own with no underlying cause, its usually due to a condition caused benign essential blepharospasm. About 2,000 people per year are diagnosed with this condition, and about two-thirds of those people are women. Benign essential blepharospasm usually begins in mid-to-late adulthood, and gets worse over time, leading to increased light sensitivity, facial spasms, and blurry vision. There is no cure for benign essential blepharospasm, but it can be managed with botulinum toxin injections every few months.

More Rare Causes of Eyelid Twitching

A hemifacial spasm is a rare condition that causes the eyelid and mouth muscles to twitch. This is usually caused by an artery pressing against facial nerves. A hemifacial spasm, like benign essential blepharospasm, can be treated with routine botulinum toxin injections.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that may cause eyelid twitching in the earlier stages. In people with Lou Gehrig’s disease, motor neurons gradually die off, taking away the ability to control muscle movement. About 20,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. Lou Gehrig’s disease is treated with medications and therapies.

Other rare, but possible, causes of eyelid twitching include Bell’s palsy, dystonia, Tourette’s syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease.

When to See a Doctor

If your eyelid twitching doesn’t go away on its own after a week, you should see a doctor about it. If the twitching is so severe that it completely closes the eye, or involves other facial muscles, medical attention is also needed. Redness, discharge, swelling, or a drooping upper eyelid is also signs that you should seek a doctor’s opinion.

For the most part, eyelid twitching is nothing to worry about. However, if it starts to bother you, stay educated about possible causes. See your doctor in the event that there may be a possible underlying condition that needs to be treated.

Categories
eye

Check If You’re One Of 10 People Who Can See What’s Hiding In THIS Picture

Check If You’re One Of 10 People Who Can See What’s Hiding In THIS Picture

Check If You’re One Of 10 People Who Can See What’s Hiding In THIS Picture

This mysterious illusion only shows its secret to one out of every ten people who look at the picture. Not only is the real meaning in the picture hidden, it is also an important message about a constantly decreasing number in a certain animal’s population. Can you see the image that is invisible to most people?

See

Optical illusions have been one of the mankind’s favorite types of mind-bending tricks since the 5th century B.C. when a Greek philosopher named Epicharmus explained and showed some of these puzzling images. Epicharmus and another Greek philosopher, Protagoras, contended in their theories of how these illusions worked. Protagoras proposed that the environment fooled the mind while Epicharmus said that sensory organs tricked the brain and presented the mind with optical illusions.

Eventually one of the most famous philosophers of all time, Aristotle, tried to mesh the opposing theories with a definitive answer. Aristotle stated that Protagoras was correct in that senses were necessary, but that Epicharmus was right in that the senses could be fooled extremely easily. Although Aristotle provided a convincing theory, the debate on optical illusions continued long after his death.

RELATED ARTICLE: Here Is What You First Noticed On This Picture Reveals About Your Future

Psychologists such as Johannes Mueller performed studies on perception and the rise of Op Art—a type of abstract image painting that involved hidden imagery, flashing, painted vibrations, and other techniques—brought new fascination to the public in optical illusions. With the rise of newspapers and art, illustrators like W.E. Hill with his famous Young Girl-Old Woman illusion popularized optical illusions to the masses.

This illusion harkens to the illusions in Op Art, where an image is hidden inside the presented picture. Try looking up and down the picture, scanning vertically through the lines. You will see an interesting effect, where the picture will seem to shift horizontally. However, this is not what is really in the picture—the real image is hidden behind the shifting lines. Try stepping back from the image and scanning the image in a circular fashion. Within a small period of time, you may be able to see the majestic animal hiding in the bolded lines. If not, take a break from looking at the image for at least fifteen minutes before looking at the picture once more.

The fascination with optical illusions is something that will be ever-present, and this illustration is just another example of amazing hidden imagery. The panda hidden inside the image is a reminder of a splendid animal that is creeping closer to extinction, and that humankind should be aware of the need to protect this species.

Categories
eye Symptoms

You Are Losing Your Vision By Ignoring THIS

You Are Losing Your Vision By Ignoring THIS

You Are Losing Your Vision By Ignoring THIS

SPANISH TRANSLATION: USTED ESTÁ PERDIENDO SU VISIÓN POR IGNORAR ESTO

Eye health is important to daily life. If you lost your vision, everything would change. Keeping routine eye exams needs to be a priority. Between visits, though, there are some symptoms that you do not need to overlook. Following is a list of symptoms for which you need to seek care.

Redness

Occasional redness due to allergies or tiredness is common. Redness of the eyes that is persistent and accompanied by pain, swelling, soreness, or severe itching could indicate a more serious problem. Some possibilities are a scratch on the cornea, pink eye, or keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea.

Watery Eyes

While eyes can water during windy or cold weather, or due to colds and allergies, excessive and constant watering is not normal. This could indicate infections in the eyelash or eyelid area, blockage of the tear ducts, pink eye, corneal abrasions, or even an ulcer on the cornea.

Styes

WebMD describes a stye as “a small, painful lump on the inside or outside of the eyelid” which is caused by bacteria. While most styes can easily be treated, a stubborn stye can lead to spreading infection and could scar the eyelid, the formation of cysts, or a generalized infection of the eye.

Floaters

Most people have floaters in their eyes. These are small spots that seem to travel across the field of vision. When floaters increase suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light or vision loss, an eye exam is needed. This could indicate a tear in the retina, retinal detachment, or even an eye hemorrhage brought on by infection or injury.

Drooping eyelid

While some drooping of the eyelid may come with age, it could also indicate diabetes, stroke, or even a brain tumor. If your eyelid begins to droop all of a sudden, you need to see an eye professional as soon as possible.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Signs You Should Have an Eye Exam

Foreign Object

If you get something in your eye and cannot remove it with irrigation, it could be embedded. This could lead to infection. Also, if do remove an object, but you continue to have the abnormal vision, pain, redness, or the feeling that it is still there, get medical help.

Bleeding

If you have slight bleeding, the body will likely heal itself. If your bleeding followed a head injury, definitely see your doctor. This could indicate bleeding in the cranium.

Dry Eyes

Eyes become dry with age, can be a side effect of medications or a result of colds or allergies. More serious causes are diseases, eye structure problems, and chronic dry eye. WebMD states, “If you have dry eye syndrome, your eyes do not produce enough tears or you are unable to maintain a normal layer of tears to coat your eyes. As a result, your eyes cannot eliminate dust and other irritants, which can lead to stinging, burning, pain, and/or redness in your eye.”

Discharge

Some discharge is common. If the quantity, color, or consistency changes, it could indicate that you have an eye infection, pink eye, or even Lyme disease.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 Natural Remedies For Eye Irritation

Cataracts

Early cataracts can simply be a nuisance. As they continue to grow and develop, vision becomes cloudy, blurry, or foggy. Driving at night can become hazardous because of increased glare from oncoming headlights. Surgical intervention is needed when cataracts hinder your safety and vision.

Adults should see their eye care practioner every two to three years. At the age of 65, the frequency should increase to once per year. In between visits, the above-mentioned symptoms do not need to be ignored. Taking care of your vision is an important part of taking care of you general health and way of life.

Categories
eye Hygiene

If You Wear Contact Lenses Don’t Let This Happen to You!

If You Wear Contact Lenses Don’t Let This Happen to You!

A recent medical case of an otherwise young and healthy Cincinnati resident shows that proper care of contact lenses is essential to eye health.Viscous, runny exudate began to pour from his eye, redness appeared in the sclera (the white portion of the eye), and he suffered a sinus infection. Because he frequently works outdoors, the man assumed he had a bad allergy. Unfortunately, he became completely blind in the left eye. A visit to the doctor concluded that the he developed a frightening eye infection from improper contact lens use.

While contact lenses are safely used by millions of people every day, they do carry a risk of eye infection. The most common infection related to contact lens use is keratitis, an infection of the cornea (the clear, round dome covering the eye’s iris and pupil). Keratitis can have multiple causes, including herpes, bacteria, fungus and microbes (such as acanthamoeba—a very difficult infection to treat). Keratitis is the most serious complication of contact lens wear. In severe cases, it can lead to corneal scarring that impairs vision, and may lead to the need for a cornea transplant.

Avoid Sleeping or Napping in Any Contact Lenses

Although the extended wear contact lenses were FDA-approved for overnight use, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says people should err on the side of caution with these lenses. An infection may develop under the lens left in the position in 24 hours or less. When lenses are regularly removed and cleaned, the eyes are usually protected from such infections.

The Centers for Disease Control; Prevention (CDC) report that approximately 40.9 million people wear contact lenses in the nation. A CDC survey (collaboratively performed with CLAY, the Contact Lens Assessment Youth Group) shows that respondents are likely to break the rules for safe contact lens use from time to time. The CDC estimates that about half of contact lens wearers in the study sleep in their lenses and more than 82 percent use a contact lens case for longer than recommended periods.

Most contact lenses are designed to exchange oxygen with the eye, but all effectively create a barrier between the eye and the surrounding environment. The contact lens wearer risks the development of a bacterial infection when lenses are improperly stored.

Contact Lens Options:

Depending on the type of lenses one wears it is recommended to follow the proper cleaning instructions for the specific lens.

Daily wear contact lenses.

Daily wear contact lenses have to be taken out and disinfected every night and are replaced on a set schedule. The replacement time can vary widely by type and brand, from every two weeks to every three months.

Extended wear contact lenses.

This type of contact lens is designed to be worn overnight though they need to be removed at least once a week for cleaning and disinfection. However, many eye professionals do not encourage their use. When you sleep with your contact lenses in, you reduce the amount of oxygen to the eyes, making your eyes more vulnerable to infection — especially corneal infection.

Disposable contact lenses.

Daily disposable lenses get tossed every day after use, so no maintenance is involved. Disposables that are replaced weekly or monthly require the same regular care as daily wear lenses. Disposables are a good option for people with allergies or other conditions that exacerbate the formation of protein deposits from the tear film.

Toric contact lenses.

This type of lens is used to correct astigmatism, a condition in which vision is blurred because of an irregularly shaped cornea or lens inside the eye.

Multifocal contact lenses.

People with presbyopia — a condition that occurs as people get older and their eyes have a harder time bringing close objects into focus. Replace contact lenses with a fresh pair as prescribed by your eye care professional. When not changing into a fresh pair, remove your contact lenses between uses and properly clean, disinfect and store them with a cleaning system.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Ways to Care for Your Eyes Naturally

Contact Lens Care

Single-use contact lenses are a good idea, but some people wear them past manufacturers’ recommended period. Extended wear lenses and other contact lenses should be regularly replaced. For instance, if the user uses a two-week extended wear lens, it is important to replace them at two weeks. Don’t continue to wear the lenses for six or four weeks.
Doing so is one of the easiest ways to contract a serious bacterial eye infection.

Users should not rinse lenses with tap water as a means to clean or refresh them. Tap water contains bacteria and other organisms. Acanthamoeba, a parasite, is frequently found in municipal water supplies. The organism can cause eye infections leading to reduced vision or blindness. Cleaning lens cases in tap water is also a bad idea, according to the AAO.

Don’t risk your eyesight. Contact lenses wearers must use the proper cleaning solution to regularly clean contact lenses. Lens cases should be thrown away and replaced after three months’ use.

Categories
aging eye

All You Need to Know About Hidden Symptoms of Cataract!

All You Need to Know About Hidden Symptoms of Cataract!

All You Need to Know About Hidden Symptoms of Cataract!

Nearly half of all Americans over the age of 80 have had cataracts. In fact, age-related cataracts can start to develop as early as your 40s or 50s. The following information will help you understand how cataracts develop, your risk of developing cataracts, and how you can protect your eye health.

What Are Cataracts?

A person develops a cataract when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque. Age-related cataracts develop when proteins in the lens begin to clump together. In the beginning, a cataract may not be noticeable. As the cataract grows, less light reaches the retina at the back of the eye, and the lens becomes unable to adjust focus making it difficult to see.

Who Is At Risk For Developing Cataracts?

The following risk factors increase your chances of developing cataracts.

• Individuals over age 60 have a greater likelihood of developing cataracts.
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes, increase your risk of cataracts.
• Medications such as corticosteroids can contribute to cataract formation.
• Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases your chances of developing cataracts.
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are linked to an increased risk of cataracts.
• A diet lacking in nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and other antioxidants may increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

In the early stages, cataracts may have few if any symptoms. As cataracts grow, a person may experience the following symptoms:

• Vision becomes blurry or cloudy
• It may become difficult to see at night
• Bright lights may glare and appear to be surrounded by a halo
• Colors appear faded

RELATED ARTICLE: This One Ingredient May Improve Your Eyesight and Naturally Cleanse Your Kidneys

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed And Treated?

Cataracts are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. The exam usually involves visual acuity screening, dilation of the pupil, so the retina and optic nerve can be examined, and measuring the pressure inside the eye.

The treatment of a cataract depends on the severity and how it impacts your daily activities. Initially, your eye care professional may upgrade the prescription of your eyeglasses. If the cataract begins to affect your quality of life, your optometrist may refer you for surgery. Cataract surgery involves replacing the damaged lens with a new artificial lens. The surgery is safe and highly effective, with 90 percent of patients reporting better vision.

Preventing Cataracts:

There is no guaranteed way to treat or prevent cataracts. Your first line of defense is to focus on getting proper nutrition. Nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E promote eye health and may prevent the development of cataracts and other eye-related diseases. You should protect your eyes from damage by wearing sunglasses. Finally, you should make sure you get regular eye exams and consult your doctor immediately if you notice changes in your vision.

Be sure to leave us a comment to share how cataracts or cataract surgery have impacted your life or the life of someone you know.

Categories
eye kidney

This One Ingredient May Improve Your Eyesight and Naturally Cleanse Your Kidneys

This One Ingredient May Improve Your Eyesight and Naturally Cleanse Your Kidneys

This One Ingredient May Improve Your Eyesight and Naturally Cleanse Your Kidneys

Everyone knows how delicious a ripe pear is on a hot summer day, but how many people know that pears have actual health benefits? Among other things, a steady diet of pears can improve eyesight and cleanse your kidneys. Here’s how:

What’s In the Skin
The skin of pears is usually so thin that the fruit doesn’t need to be peeled. This is a good thing because the skin is rich in substances called phenolic phytonutrients. These are antioxidants, which against damage from free radical molecules. This alone is enough to support healthy eyesight and healthy kidneys. But these phytonutrients are also anti-inflammatories. Though some inflammation helps the body heal when it’s injured, too much can be damaging.

Carotenoids For the Eyes
Pears are also surprisingly rich in carotenoids, the same substances that give carrots their orange color. Carotenoids tend to concentrate in the macula of the eye, which is the very center of the retina. They are sometimes so concentrated that they give the macula a yellow color. Scientists believe that the carotenoids protect the macula, which is necessary for sharp, central vision. Carotenoids are also antioxidants.

RELATED ARTICLE: 4 Foods to Improve Eyesight

Pears and the Kidneys
Pears are good for the kidneys because they naturally help to lower high blood pressure, which is devastating for people with kidney disease. Pear juice also helps to prevent kidney stones because it is low in oxalates, which contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Pear juice mixed with pure water and the juice of other fruits and vegetables such as kale, cranberries and wheatgrass makes for an excellent kidney cleanse.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Most Effective Ways To Take Care Of Your Kidneys

What Types To Buy
All of the pears on the market in the United States are members of the Pyrus communis species, but some have more health-giving substances than others. These pears include the red-skinned pears such as the red Anjou, the red Bartlett, and the Starkrimson. These are the pears that contain the most carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene.

RELATED ARTICLE: Feeling Tired Lately? It Might Be Time For A Kidney Detox Juice

How To Serve
Pears, of course, are perfect to eat out of hand, but experts also recommend juicing pears. The juice is best because it retains a lot of the pulp, which is rich in phytonutrients.

Pears are delicious, available everywhere and inexpensive. Now, it is known that they greatly support the health of the eyes, kidneys and other bodily systems as well.

Categories
eye

The Most Important Part of Your Face That You Need to Protect from the Sun

The Most Important Part of Your Face That You Need to Protect from the Sun

The Most Important Part of Your Face That You Need to Protect from the Sun

Protecting your eyes from the sun is more important than the sunscreen you pour out of the bottle in the morning. You must protect your skin to prevent sunburns, but your eyes can burn just as easily when you are out in the sun. This article explores the issues that you will encounter when you in the sun, and protection for your eyes is explained in detail.

The Most Important Part of Your Face That You Need to Protect from the Sun

#1: Sunglasses

Many people in the sun avoid sunglasses because glasses are not convenient. Anyone who wears prescription glasses tends to avoid getting a new pair of glasses for the sun, but your sunglasses are the first line of defense you have for your eyes. The sun will impact your eyes all day no matter where you are, and your sunglasses prevent the sun from directly hitting your eyes while you are outside. Your corneas or lenses may burn if you are in the sun too long, and you must find a pair of sunglasses you can keep on your face.

#2: Hats

Wearing hats when you get outside helps protect your eyes from the overhead rays of the sun. Your sunglasses cannot prevent sunlight from hitting your eyes from overhead. You may not notice this sunlight, but you will feel the sunlight at the end of the day.

Ladies who wear large hats are protecting their eyes quite effectively with massive brims, and men should keep their hats over their eyes while walking about. The sunlight cannot reach your eyes if you have taken both precautions at once.

Related articles: 5 DIY ALL NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR IRRITATED SKIN

#3: Headaches

You may have headaches after spending long periods of time outside in the sun, and the headaches are a direct result of sun damage to your eyes. You may take pain medication for your headaches, but the damage is already done. Your eyes will grow more and more sensitive over time, and you will experience more headaches as you grow older. The sensitivity of your eyes may grow to the point that you cannot stand being outside, and you may feel as though you are having a migraine.

Protecting your eyes from the sun is more important than putting on your sunscreen, and you must use this article to avoid the headaches and eye damage that could occur. Your eyes are precious to you, and they can be harmed many times over when you go outside with some kind of sun protection.

Womenshealthmag

Categories
eye

If You’re Experiencing These 14 Signs Then You’re Probably Not Drinking Enough Water

If You're Experiencing These 14 Signs Then You're Probably Not Drinking Enough Water

If You’re Experiencing These 14 Signs Then You’re Probably Not Drinking Enough Water

[nextpage title=”…”]

Water is often described as an essential diet aide but overlooked for its everyday health benefits. Here are 14 symptoms and health concerns related to inadequate water intake that can inspire anyone to seek enhanced health through the simplest of solutions: water.

If You're Experiencing These 14 Signs Then You're Probably Not Drinking Enough Water

1. Dry mouth
Simple but significant, dry mouth can be an important indicator of early dehydration. Heed this warning with pure water or other unsweetened beverages.

2. Dry eyes
Inadequate hydration causes a decreased production of tears, the solution responsible for naturally keeping eyes safe and comfortable. Before looking for a dry eye solution, try increasing water intake.

3. Dry Skin
Skin flakiness, a sign of excess oil and inadequate exfoliation, is often mistaken for skin dryness. Truly dry skin, which is cracked and painful, should be soothed with creams on the outside and healed with water from the inside.

4. Premature Aging
The deepest layers of the skin are supported by water-rich tissues. With inadequate water intake, these areas can become depleted and contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Take FIVE YEARS Off Your Face

Some areas of the body show readily apparent signs of dehydration
Mouth
Eyes
Skin

5. Excessive fatigue
Inadequate hydration alters the efficiency with which oxygen is delivered to the body. This causes a sense of fatigue that cannot be overcome by everyday stimulants like caffeine.

6. Excessive thirst
More than just dry mouth, thirst is a craving for water. Be careful: if dehydration becomes severe, the sensation of thirst can be diminished so drink water before becoming thirsty and as especially when thirst begins to set in.

7. Illogical hunger
The areas of the brain that sense hunger and thirst are very close to one another. Triggers to one area appear to easily trigger both areas however, the body’s response to hunger signals is stronger than it is for thirst. As a result, dehydration often causes a sense if hunger, even at times when there should be no reason to feel hungry.

8. Joint Pain
Dehydrated cartilage allows boney surfaces to come closer together, allowing surfaces to rub together that normally would not. Help protect joints with regular, adequate water intake.

RELATED ARTICLE: Common Knee Cartilage Problems

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”…”]

Dehydration can affect many senses and sensations
Fatigue
Thirst
Hunger

9. Decreased Muscle Mass
Muscles naturally hold a large amount of water. The weight loss that occurs in many “crash” diets is attributed primarily to the dehydration of these tissues causing shrinkage as well as cramping and muscle fatigue

10. Hindered immune function
The body requires sufficient water stores to eliminate toxins via the urine. During an infection, dehydration can mean bring sick longer as the body is less capable of flushing away wastes.

11. Digestive Problems
Fluid exchange facilitates the entire digestive process. Dehydration can cause the digestive tissues to function less effectively, leading to a whole host of problems.

12. Constipation
Just as fluids are needed for absorption they are also essential for elimination of substances from the digestive system. Increased fluid intake is a simple but effective cure for constipation.

13. Reduced Urination
Urine color and volume was one of the earliest diagnostic tools used by health care practitioners and can still provide an excellent guide to hydration status. Continue to drink water throughout the day at least until the urine has reached a light yellow color. This should result in at least four trips to the bathroom.

14. You are reading this
Most people do not drink enough water or rely too heavily on other beverages for fluid intake. Aim for 2 liters (67 ounces) of pure water daily and enjoy the difference deep hydration makes!

Webmd NHS

[/nextpage]

Categories
eye health

What Are Those Weird Things You See Floating In Your Eye?

What Are Those Weird Things You See Floating In Your Eye?

What Are Those Weird Things You See Floating In Your Eye?

Just about everyone experiences “floaters”– tiny, worm-like objects that appear to float across one’s field of vision. What are they made of, and should they be a cause for concern?

While the vast majority of floaters aren’t a sign of anything sinister, there are several different things that can cause them:

What Are Those Weird Things You See Floating In Your Eye

  • Residue from the hyaloid artery. This artery usually disappears in the third trimester of fetal development, but can sometimes leave visible traces behind that present as floaters.
  • Vitreous shrinkage. This is what causes most floaters, and is part of the natural aging process. As the vitreous shrinks, it changes consistency. Collagen in the vitreous breaks down into fibrils, which show up as threadlike floaters.
  • Vitreous or retinal detachments. In some cases, the vitreous membrane can pull away from the retina. This can rub against the retina and cause scintillations. Sometimes, the retina can detach as well. This can cause bleeding into the area, which appears as numerous small points floating across the field of vision, and should be treated as a medical emergency.
  • Diseases of the eye or optic nerve, like cystoid macular edema, intracranial hypertension, and asteroid hyalosis can result in an increased number of floaters.
  • Certain medications can result in an increased number of floaters.

Sometimes, floaters can seem to appear suddenly. Usually, this isn’t actually the case. In some positions, such as lying on one’s back, floaters can end up settling toward the retina and appearing more visible than usual. Monochromatic backdrops and bright lights can also make floaters show up more distinctly than usual.

Though they generally aren’t a problem, floaters can sometimes become so numerous that they begin obstructing vision. In instances like these, surgery or laser treatments can help get rid of them. Unfortunately, these treatments can run the risk of causing retinal detachment or cataracts and are therefore reserved for extreme cases.

While anything that obstructs your vision can be distressing, the National Eye Institute assures people that the vast majority of floaters aren’t a cause for concern. Those that are are often of sudden onset and accompanied by other symptoms, such as flashing or a loss of peripheral vision. For everyone else, while floaters may be occasionally annoying, they’re nothing to worry about.

National Eye Institute Mayo Clinic

Categories
Beauty eye

5 Makeup Tricks To Give Droopy Lids A Lift

5 Makeup Tricks To Give Droopy Lids A Lift

5 Makeup Tricks To Give Droopy Lids A Lift

According to the American Society of Ophthalmic and Reconstructive Surgery website, droopy lids can be caused by the natural aging process, sustained trauma or a neurological disease. For those not interested in pursuing surgical alternatives, there are numerous makeup tricks that can minimize the appearance of heavy lids.

Makeup Tricks To Give Droopy Lids A Lift

Famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown provides some tips via Prevention.com. Her overall advice is two-fold: first, draw attention away from the lids themselves and second, make eyes pop. Her detailed suggestions follow:

Brown’s first trick is to accentuate the brows. Choose a powdered shadow that matches your natural brow color and apply conservatively to brows using an angled brush. For a natural look, use short strokes and be careful not to apply too much.

Next, she recommends strategically working with shadow on the lid and brow bone to draw attention away from heavy lids. First, she advises applying a medium brown or slate shadow to the outer half of the eyelid. Second, she suggests applying a highlighter to the brow bone using a shadow brush that is small enough to allow for precision. By applying shadow in this way, you will open up the look of your eyes.

Next, she advises lining the eyes to make them appear wider. A black or grey powder shadow applied with a liner brush is preferable. Apply heavier liner to the top of the lid just above the lashes and lighter or residual liner along the lower lashes. Connect both lines at the outer eye corner and draw upward slightly.

Lastly, Brown suggests making eyes pop with carefully applied mascara. Brown recommends curling lashes and applying two coats of black mascara. Mascara should be applied by starting at the base of the top lashes and slowly pulling outward to lengthen lashes. For bottom lashes, apply mascara by lightly touching the wand to the lashes. A mascara that thickens will works best. If lashes have a natural bend, then the curling process can be skipped. If lashes are sparse, consider using false lashes for the ultimate wide-eyed effect.

A fifth tip comes from makeup artist Derrick Rutledge who has worked his magic on Michelle Obama and Oprah. Via Oprah.com, he recommends adding an iridescent powder shadow to the inner corner of the eyes to neutralize the dark appearance of droopy eyes. The effect can be achieved by dabbing powder on with a small shadow brush. The powder should be light in color and applied sparingly so the effect is just noticeable.

Droopy lids are common and having some makeup tricks up your sleeve to minimize their appearance can’t hurt. Good luck implementing these suggestions at home.

Sources, Sources , Sources

Categories
eye Facts

10 Incredible Facts About the Human Eye

10 Incredible Facts About the Human Eye

10 Incredible Facts About the Human Eye

Did you know that your interpretation of colors depends on how your eyes function? You have probably heard many interesting facts about the human body already, today we will talk about one of the most interesting, the eyes. The ability to see our beautiful world is a true gift, but there is more to the human eye than sight.

Incredible Facts About the Human Eye

Let’s take a look at these eye facts you may not know:

• Your eyes actually see everything upside down
The lens in your eye bends light rays so that they focus exactly on the retina, then turn things upside down while focusing the images, your brain turns the images right-side up, and that is how a 3D image is created by your brain. The entire process is too fast to notice.

• Images are halved and distorted
One half of the image arrives in half of your brain, while the corresponding half arrives at the other half. Your brain then scrambles the images to compose the full picture that you see.

• The length of your eye decides if you are farsighted, nearsighted, or neither
Nearsighted people have longer eyeballs and can see things better close-up, while those with shorter eyeballs are farsighted can see better from far away.

farsighted nearsighted

• Eyes can be sunburned
The human eye can suffer sun damage, it’s a different process from what happens to your skin, a prolonged process that happens over time. Wear UV protective sunglasses when in sunlight, not just in summer, during all seasons. An added benefit of sunglasses is protecting the delicate skin around your eyes from wrinkles!

• We blink, a lot
We blink around 25,000 times each day, 15-20 times a minute. Research from Japan’s Osaka University found that blinking gives our mind a chance to rest and ‘go offline.’ Blinking is a necessary act, most often involuntary, and a defense mechanism to protect your eyes.

• Human retinas can’t detect the color red
Our retinas have red, blue, and green color receptors, however the red receptor can only detect yellow-green and the green receptor detects blue-green. Your brain combines these signals and turns them into red.

• Your eyes can improve with age
Your eyes can get better with age but it’s not a good sign, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your health. Diabetes is one that can make your sight better by improving your close-up vision. Consult your doctor with any major changes in your eyesight.

• Staring directly into the sun can make you blind
Remember seeing how the rays of the sun can burn a piece of paper using a magnifying glass? This is what can happen to your eyes when you stare into the sun. The mechanism that causes the lens to focus the sun rays on the retina will burn a spot in the retina which causes permanent damage. This is why there are special viewers for a solar eclipse.

• All blue-eyed people stem from one ancestor
If you have blue eyes, the next time you meet another blue-eyed person don’t think of him/her a stranger, but a distant relative. Everyone with blue eyes descended from one person who lived near the Black Sea 6000 years ago.

• Blinking time
In addition to the hours you spend asleep, you spend 10% of your waking hours with your eyes closed.

Sources, Sources, Sources, Sources

Categories
eye Skin Care

How to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles Fast and Safely

How to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles Fast and Safely

How to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles Fast and Safely

Do your eyes reveal your age more than you would like? That’s natural and normal as we age, especially if we don’t take care of the sensitive skin by our eyes. The wrinkles that form around our eyes when the skin gets thinner and dryer are called crow’s feet. Smoking and squinting are the primary causes of crow’s feet besides aging. Here are some ideas on how to naturally prevent crow’s feet:

How To Prevent Crow’s Feet

Wear Sunglasses

Your sunglasses are a great defense for protecting your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Use glasses that offer UV protection when you go out in the sun, and do it on a regular basis. The glasses act as a shield against harmful UV rays that cause wrinkles while preventing you from squinting.

Go Natural

Get plenty of vitamin E from natural sources. Flaxseed oil is easily found and an amazing source of vitamin E. Egg whites can be used as a mask.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the best remedies for skin, including crow’s feet. It contains antioxidants that wash away free radicals responsible for causing wrinkles. It is full of minerals and vitamins that keep your skin moisturized and glowing. You can drink a glass of aloe vera juice daily or simply squeeze some gel from the leaf of an aloe vera plant and apply around your eyes, you will see the difference after the first time.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a good source of vitamin E, it nourishes your skin and works as a natural moisturizer. It contains linoleic acid that helps reconnect broken skin tissue thereby preventing the formation of crow’s feet, wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines that occur as we age. Simply apply some coconut oil around your eyes every night before going to bed. You can also use it for cooking, sunscreen, homemade toothpaste, and oil pulling.

Use of Eyeliner

Many women use eyeliner but you should learn the correct way to use it on your soft lids. Instead of pulling your eyelids straight from the corners, hold the skin tight from the temple. Make sure your pencil is sharp to so it without struggle which can cause damage to your eye area.

Sleep on Your Back

Sleeping on your side or stomach can cause wrinkles on your face and neck. Sleeping on your back is considered the best position for sleeping. If you can only get comfortable sleeping on your side try using silk pillowcases that will prevent your skin from developing wrinkles.

Watch Your Contact Lenses

Those who wear contact lenses often struggle putting them on and taking them out which causes pressure under the eyes and loosens the skin. Try using your 3rd and 4th fingers to hold your lids open, they are your weakest fingers and exert less stress on your skin.

Sources Sources Sources Sources

Categories
eye

8 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look 10 Years Younger

8 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look 10 Years Younger

8 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look 10 Years Younger

Bright and beautiful eyes are the quintessential hallmark of youth. Unfortunately, as individuals grow older, the eyes often show the first signs of aging. A recent study has shown that a few simple tricks can help eyes retain and restore their vibrant youthful appearance.

8 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look 10 Years Younger

1. Keep Hydrated

Drinking water is not only good for overall health, but helps keep the skin around the eyes from succumbing to excessive wrinkles. Some great ways to keep hydrated include:

Drinking plenty of water
Avoiding caffeine
Limiting alcohol
Reducing salt

2. Eat Your Veggies

Vegetables that promote healthier looking eyes include Brussels sprouts and spinach. Brussels sprouts are a great source of lutein which prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Spinach, which is rich in iron, helps prevent bags and dark circles.

3. Play With Your Veggies

Both sweet potatoes and cucumbers have innate properties that help reduce puffiness when placed directly on the eyes. Lying back with slices of either vegetable placed on the eyes for 10 minutes in the morning can help eliminate swelling.

Related Link: Diseases That Are Caused By Dehydration

4. Wear Sunglasses

Damaging UV rays are particularly harsh on the thin skin around the eyes.

5. Cosmetic Tricks

Changing the way makeup is applied can result in a drastically younger appearance. A few tips to use makeup in order to create more youthful eyes include:

Avoid concealer that is lighter than the skin.
Apply concealer with a brush.
Choose a yellow tint
Use dark liner on the top lid and lighter on the bottom.

6. Keep the Skin Clean

Going to bed without removing eye makeup can result in skin that is bogged down and sagging.

7. Moisturize

Being diligent about applying moisturizer is probably one of the most important steps in retaining a youthful appearance around the eyes. It should be gently applied, because the surrounding skin is very delicate. Skipping moisturizer can result in permanent cracks and wrinkles.

8. Green Tea

Not only is green tea a powerful antioxidant when consumed, but research has shown that the tannins and caffeine in the bags makes it an excellent eye compress that reduces puffiness. Cold bags should be placed over the eyes for approximately 10 minutes.

Categories
eye

Take This Test To Find Out How Well You See Color

Take This Test To Find Out How Well You See Color

Take This Test To Find Out How Well You See Color

The condition color blindness makes it unimaginably difficult, if not altogether impossible to distinguish differences in color. Being color blind does not mean that color cannot be seen at all, but rather that certain shades of colors cannot be seen. For example, in the absence of “red” retinal photo receptors in the eye, the colors of the rainbow present as shades of golds and blues, without any red, orange, greens or purple shades present.

How Well You See Color

Diagnosing Color Blindness

While it is more common for males to experience color blindness, in actuality, some individuals may not know that they are color blind at all. The first step in determining color blindness is physically assessing how well you see color in the first place. Studies have shown that vision deficiency will vary from individual to individual, with the red-green color deficiency reported most commonly.

Challenges of Color Blindness

In the event that color blindness is not recognized until later in life, it is usually the case that individuals have learned how to cope with this mysterious problem and have faced and responded to difficulties in everyday life such as:

Identifying ripe versus unripe fruit, such as a banana
Adversely ignoring charging indicator lights, such as a red LED signal
Visually encountering unappetizing food (eg. crisp, green vegetables that appear brown); and
Frustration in routine activities that require differentiation

Individuals can determine an area of color deficiency in their sight by taking an online color blind test. Although color blindness is associated with heredity, some medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and leukemia can also result in degradation of color recognition.

Take this amazing test to find out how well you see colors

Categories
eye

7 Reasons Your Eyes are Blurry

7 Reasons Your Eyes are Blurry

7 Reasons Your Eyes are Blurry

Blurry vision is a very common problem, but it can be caused by many different things. The only way to know your exact problem is to visit an eye doctor. After asking questions about your symptoms and performing basic eye tests, the doctor should be able to give you a solution to your blurry vision.

7 Reasons Your Eyes are Blurry

Causes of blurry vision

Refractive errors – According to AllAboutVision, a refractive error is an optical imperfection that results in a problem focusing light correctly. The most common of these errors are farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism. While these problems can be a nuisance, they are usually fixed quite easily with prescription lenses and regular eye exams.

Dry Eyes – If your eyes are not producing tears the way they are supposed to, you may begin to experience blurry vision due to your dry eyes. This can sometimes be fixed with simple OTC eye drops, but prescription eye drops are available as well for symptoms that persist or worsen.

Migraines – Migraines can be debilitating in many ways. Many people who suffer from migraines find that it often affects their vision. If you experience headaches so severe that they blur your vision, you should consider seeing a neurologist.

Medication – We all know that every medication comes with the possibility of side effects. If you are on any type of medication and are experiencing blurry vision on any level, check to see if this is one of the listed side effects. The medication may have a warning about driving or other activities while taking it.

Cataracts – Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lenses, most often affect older people since they can worsen over time. Unlike refractive errors, cataracts cannot be corrected with glasses and will need to be removed through a surgical procedure.

Glaucoma – Blurry vision could be a sign of glaucoma, in which the pressure builds up in the eye and causes damage to the optic nerve. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you should have your eyes checked regularly since early symptoms are rarely felt.

Diabetes – Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s blood sugar levels. This in turn can affect the blood flow to the eyes and other organs. If you are diabetic and are beginning to experience blurred vision, it may be a condition known as Diabetic Retinopathy.

If you are experiencing blurry vision, you should see an eye doctor to help you determine the cause. Make sure that you see the doctor on a regular basis to ensure that the problem does not worsen and that other symptoms do not appear.

Categories
eye

What is An Optical Illusion?

What is An Optical Illusion?

What is An Optical Illusion?

An optical illusion, or visual illusion, refers to a state wherein visually perceived images differ from the real object. While some people may find this frustrating, others continue to look for and enjoy them. It may also be described as a mismatch between the immediate visual impression and the actual properties of the object. In the case of optical illusions, the brain processes the information gathered by the eye and gives a perception that does not tally with the actual object.

Many of us believe we are in control of what our mind perceives but an optical illusion can make you see things that are not actually there – an object that seems to be moving might be standing still or the lines that appear curved might actually be straight, however do not think it your eyes’ fault, it just means that you don’t always see what you think you do.

This happens because of the way an image is perceived and interpreted by the brain, so the perception of an illusion has more to do with the brain and not so much to do with optics of the eyes. The brain needs to interpret everything that enters the senses and at times these interpretations may be wrong. There are three broad types of optical illusions: Literal optical illusions that differ from the objects that make them, physiological illusions that occur due to the effect of excessive stimulation of a specific type on the eyes and the brain, and third, the cognitive illusion, which is a result of unconscious inferences.
Optical illusions can be fun, and at the same time it tells us a lot about how the brain and perceptual function work.

Some examples of interesting optical illusions:

• The Hermann Grid illusion: The Herman Grid is a great example of the fact that sometimes we see things that are not really there and overlook things actually present. Looking at the Hermann Grid closely it can be noticed how dots at the center of each intersection seem to shift between white and gray.

optical illusion 1

• The Ponzo Illusion: Objects seem to be closer together as they become further away when one looks into the distance. For instance, in the Ponzo Illuson, the outside border of the road or railroad appear to converge as they recede into the distance. Place two lines over an illustration of a railroad track and try to figure out which line is longer, the line that shows distance will appear to be shorter, but in reality both lines are similar in length.

optical illusion 2

• The Zollner Illusion: The Zollner Illusion demonstrates that the way your brain interprets the image can be affected by the background. This is a unique illusion that can make a viewer feel slightly queasy if they keep staring at the image. The background seems to interfere and our brains find it difficult to interpret the image correctly.

optical illusion 3

• The Kanizsa Triangle Illusion: The Gestalt law of closure indicates that we tend to see objects as a related group if they are close together. In the case of the Kanizsa Triangle, we tend to ignore the gaps and see contour lines that do not exist in order to form a cohesive image.

optical illusion 4

Japanese mathematics professor Kokichi Sugihara spends much of his time in a world where up is down and three dimensions are really only two. Professor Sugihara is one of the world’s leading exponents of optical illusion, a mathematical art-form that he says could have application in the real world.