Only in the distance spy on whether the train is approaching, then quickly read in the fine print on the ticket where the seat reservation is: Our eyes make great things every day. Do not work properly, help glasses or contact lenses. But even away from the visual aids, there are ways to promote the eyes.
1. Pay attention to sufficient light when reading
"You are damaging your eyes." Those who read in dim light have probably heard this saying many times already. Although scientific evidence is missing, that's true. Nevertheless, it is better to pay attention to sufficient light when reading. Otherwise the eyes tire faster and reading becomes exhausting. "The consequences of this can be headaches and red eyes," says Ludger Wollring, an ophthalmologist and spokesman for the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists.
2. Feel balanced and healthy
Balanced, rich in vitamins, versatile - who feeds so does his body something good, even the eyes. "Especially important for the visual function are vitamins C and E as well as zinc," says Martin Smollich from the Institute of Nutritional Medicine at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein.
Vitamin C can be found in peppers and parsley, vitamin E, for example, in nuts and fish, zinc, including hard cheese or wholegrain bread based on sourdough.
Also important to the eyes is vitamin A, which the body can draw from boiled carrots, but also from other fruits and vegetables. In developing countries, vitamin A deficiency is a common reason children go blind. In Germany, however, no healthy person has such a big deficiency that his vision suffers. Conversely, an excess supply of vitamin A can not improve your eyesight.
3. Be critical of dietary supplements
Lutein-based supplements are often marketed with the promise to use the eyes. "However, there is no scientific evidence for this", says Sigrid Röchter from the consumer center North Rhine-Westphalia. Lutein belongs to the carotenoids and thus to the group of plant dyes.
Anyone who still wants to take supplements should deal with the risks and ask an ophthalmologist for advice before taking. "In some preparations, for example, zinc is in high-dose form," explains Röchter. Among other things, this can negatively affect the copper balance in the body.
4. Provide fresh air
Drafts from the air conditioner can irritate the eyes and cause redness or even inflammation. It is better to turn off the air conditioning and instead to ventilate regularly. Even breaks in the fresh air are wellness for the eyes.
5. Do not stare at the screen for too long
If you spend your working day in front of the computer, you should treat your eyes to a break. "At least every 15 minutes, the gaze should be directed away from the screen," Wollring advises. Because eyes need variety. It helps to keep your eyes open and to consciously fix different objects near and far. So the eye muscle remains mobile.
Constant work on the screen can also cause the eyes to dry out. Possible consequences include blurred vision and headaches. Therefore, it may be advisable to put drops in the eyes. It is also important to adjust the colors and contrasts on the monitor correctly to relieve the eye.
6. Act with bad vision
Some people believe that the old glasses will still be there for a while, even though they are getting worse and worse. Others refrain from reading glasses, though they find text becoming increasingly difficult to recognize. The goal is often to train the eyes. "That does not work," Wollring clarifies. If you see worse, you should examine his eyes and have a new vision aid prescribed.
