For routine eye care,

1. Wash your eyes frequently with clean water. Usually tap water is good enough. Wash them 3 to 4 times a day.
2. Sit in upright position while reading or writing
3. Wear proper number spectacles as per doctor's advice
4. Do not put any drops or "medicines" in the eye without consulting your eye doctor.
5. For reading - good diffused tube light - 1.25 ft (15 inches) distance in upright sitting position is advised.
6. There are no special eye drops to improve the eyesight, or to keep the eyes clean etc.
7. Regular general exercise, routine square diet, green vegetables, fruits and sprouted pulses can keep the eyes in good condition.
8. Ophthalmology is a specialised field and any eye problem is better handled by a qualified eye doctor
9. Children need regular eye check up as number may change more often.
10. Most people above the age of 40 need reading glasses. Use them and check the number at least once a year. Also get your eye pressure and retina checked regularly.
11. There is a popular belief that eating carrots or vitamin A tablets reduces spectacle number. This is not correct. Normal intake of vitamin A is essential, but it will not reduce the spectacle number. Avoid taking any medicine without proper medical adviceExcessive consumption of vitamin A may lead to vitamin A toxicity.
12. If you get headache, watering, redness, - consult your ophthalmologist immediately
13. Using drops (especially steroid eye drops) without proper advice can cause cataract or glaucoma.

Working with computers

This matter sometimes causes a lot of anxiety among people. Take the following care to keep your eyes in good condition

1. Keep the monitor 15 to 20 inches from the eye.
2. The difference in brightness of the screen and the light in the room should not be much.
3. Blink your eyes frequently ,consciously ,to keep them wet.
4. Every 10 minutes or so, fix your eyes at a distant object for a few seconds.
5. Use proper number glasses as prescribed by the doctor
6. If bifocal glasses do not suit you, use separate unifocal near vision computer friendly glasses while working with computers.
7. Avoid coloured glasses while working indoors
8. Despite taking care, if you get any problems, consult your eye specialist
9. Computer per se does not harm eyes.

Watching TV

1. Do not strain your eyes by watching TV for too long a time.
2. Blink often while watching TV.
3. Do not sit too close.

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