Pursuant to the Proclamation No. 40, series of 1954 which was signed by former President Ramon Magsaysay on 5 July 1954, declaring the first week of August of every year as sight-conservation week. This year, the Philippines observes this proclamation with the theme “Universal Eye Health: No More Avoidable Blindness” to raise awareness among the general public about the significance of eye health and the prevention of blindness.

The human eye is a crucial and among the most intricate sense organs that allows us to learn more about our environment than we can with any of the other four senses combined. Nowadays, clear vision is of prime importance and necessary for carrying out everyday tasks with ease. However, according to estimates from the Department of Health (DOH) from 2017, there are 332,150 people in the Philippines who are bilaterally blind. Of these, 33%, or roughly 109,609, are blindness caused by cataracts, 25%, or 83,037, are blindness caused by refraction problems, and 14%, or 46,501, are blindness caused by glaucoma. The remaining instances are caused, among other eye conditions, by glaucoma, retinopathy, and maculopathy.

There are several different eye conditions or illnesses. Refractive errors, cataracts, and glaucoma are the three main conditions that degrade vision and lead to avoidable blindness. Globally, cataracts continue to be the primary cause of blindness, with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration as the secondary causes.

Now, what can we do to prevent eye problems? Fortunately, even the most serious eye problem can usually be prevented. Here is a list of common eye problems that may be prevented, along with some lifestyle modifications that can be made to prevent vision loss.

1. Dry Eyes

Tears are necessary to keep your eyes moist, healthy, and infection-free. Dry eyes are the result of a lack of tears. It often impairs vision in both eyes and can cause severe eye pain. This could happen when you focus intently on anything for a lengthy period of time, like reading, driving, or using a computer. To prevent this, take brief breaks from your work to rest your eyes.

2. Allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctival irritation brought on by an allergic reaction is known as allergic conjunctivitis. It happens when pollen, dander, mold, or other elements set off allergies which cause the outer area of the eye to swell or itch. The easiest approach to prevent allergic conjunctivitis is to stay away from the things that may irritate the eyes. However, people who are prone to allergic responses have also been proven to benefit from eye drops in terms of avoiding allergic conjunctivitis.

3. Glaucoma

High ocular pressure is a common cause of glaucoma. Glaucoma can eventually cause irreversible blindness. It typically runs in families but can also be brought on by diabetes, eye trauma, and inactivity. Although not all cases of glaucoma are preventable, there are actions you may do to stop your glaucoma from getting worse. The best prevention strategy is routine eye exams and treatment, especially if you have diabetes.

4. Age-related macular degeneration

Your center vision may become blurry if you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula, the area of the eye that regulates precise, straight-ahead vision, suffers damage as a result of aging. You can reduce the risk in developing this eye problem by not smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining appropriate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and adhering to a balanced diet.

Eye health and overall health go hand in hand, especially when eating a good diet that provides a range of nutrients that are beneficial for your eyes. One of which is Vitamin A, a must-have vitamin for healthy vision. Beef and chicken liver, whole milk, and cheese are all excellent dietary sources of the vitamin A retinol. Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and cantaloupes are some healthy dietary options that are high in provitamin A carotenoids. Additionally, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc are important in lowering the risk of some major eye illnesses such cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and a variety of other foods contain these antioxidants.

In general, to maintain eye health, it is best to consume foods that are high in these nutrients to support eyesight. Maintaining the health of our eyes will greatly benefit our over-all health. So, start saving your sight by starting it with your diet! (Development Management Officer II (PNFP) Lizelle L. Bete / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 0963-1090-198)

References:

Eye Problems: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Eye Diseases @DocOnline. (n.d.). DocOnline. https://www.doconline.com/what-we-treat/eye-problems

The Healthline Editorial Team. (2017, December 19). Preventing Eye Problems. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health-disease-prevention#Dry-eyes

Proclamation No. 40, s. 1954 | GOVPH. (1954, July 5). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1954/07/05/proclamation-no-40-s-1954/

PUBLIC TOLD: PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM BLINDNESS – DOH Press Release/06 August 2017 | Department of Health website. (2017). Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/node/10735