Eyes are among the most precious organs of the human body for sighted people, as they have the prime function of enabling you to see the outside world. As eye care is always a preventive step towards good eye health, special measures should be taken by people in preventing damage to the eyes due to dust, UV rays and harmful chemicals.

Exercises and nutrition are some of the best methods you can adapt to for good eye care. And nutrition means including various vitamins, minerals and rich vegetables in your diet.

Note that:

• Carrots are a source of vitamin A, C and E. These vitamins are antioxidants that improve eye health and enhance night vision. Orange, kiwis and grapes are rich in the above vitamins.

• Leafy vegetables including spinach, green peas, French beans and lettuce, when taken in large quantities help in improving your eyesight.

• Nuts, seeds, pepper, eggs, fish and poultry included in food items provide nutrition for eye health. Minerals and nutrients neutralize the harm done by free radicals. This slows down age related eye problems.

• Diet deficient in saturated fats and rich in omega-3 fatty acids has shown to slow down eye related problems.

• Obesity increases the chances of diabetes-related eye problems.

• To improve body immunization and prevent eye infections, aloe vera plays an important role as a nutritional supplement.

• Vitamin B-12 generates a lot of red blood cells, thereby contributing towards optimal functioning of the brain and nervous system.

• Bilberry extract is an herb containing beneficial nutrients. This herb fosters the nerve cells of the eye thereby improving eye health and enhancing night vision.

• Mahonia grape extract is an herb that nourishes the retina.

• Aspalathus contains antioxidants that neutralize the harmful free radicals and sustains good eye health.

• Herbal and homeopathic medicines are presently prescribed by eye doctors as preventive measures as a part of eye care.

A natural approach to eye care is to not cultivate the habit of smoking. Smoke harms the soft tissues of the eyes thereby worsening diabetes related eye disorders.

Another natural approach to eye care is a regular eye exercise work out.

•Regular and conscious blinking of eyes 15 times per minute helps in eye lubrication and cleaning. It also helps in reducing body tension.

• With your head in a steady position, you should move your eyes as if you are seeing numbers 12, 6, 3 and 9 on a clock i.e. up, down, right and left for thirty times continuously. This helps in improving the muscle power of the eye.

• You can concentrate alternately on the tip of a pencil held one foot away from your eye and a farther object with one eye open. This improves the eye muscle contraction and expansion.

• You can practice rapid blinking 20 times which will reduce tension in your body.

When you go out in the sun, you should consciously wear sunglasses which prevent your eyes from exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you are a chemist working with a UV lamp for a long period of time, make sure you wear safety goggles and gloves. Similarly, a welding mechanic must necessarily wear a safety shield that protects his eyes from the powerful UV rays. These are some of the important natural approaches to eye care.