All over the world, around 75% of people require vision correction. The most common method is prescription glasses. Spectacles are an easy and effective way to rectify ocular conditions associated with age. Yet, not everyone likes the appeal of wearing prescription lenses. Fortunately, there are a few alternatives when you don’t want to wear glasses.
Corrective Surgery
Perhaps a radical yet highly effective method of vision correction is laser eye surgery. Routine operations such as Lasik eye surgery involves using focused lasers to change the shape of the cornea. This technique adjusts the way you perceive light and will improve your vision if you are a candidate. However, the natural aging process has a degrading effect on your eyes. Therefore, corrective eye surgery with lasers lasts for around 10 years, after which you may require another treatment.
Contact Lenses
Probably the most popular alternative to wearing spectacles is the use of contact lenses. Contact lenses are essentially a tiny version of your prescription lenses. They are typically made according to your specific sight requirements and provide vision identical to prescription glasses. However, you might be put off by having to manually place lenses on your eyes. Initially, this may be uncomfortable, but you will quickly get used to them after a few tries of placing them. Contact lenses should never hurt, so consult your optician if they do.
Coloured Lenses
An additional benefit of using contact lenses is you can get them in different colours. Using coloured lenses means your eyes will appear as a different hue than your natural look. Similar to people building a collection of glasses, you can complete your styles using coloured lenses. For example, you may use your standard clear lenses while at work, but you highlight your new blond hair dye with a colour-pop of bright blue contact lenses for the weekend.
Ocular Exercise
Aesthetics and treatments aside, you can help your vision with exercises. As you age, your eye will naturally degrade. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent this. However, you can exercise for better ocular health that will reduce the effects of natural macular degeneration. Therefore, it will be a more extended period before contacts or spectacles are required. To exercise your eye muscles, try the following:
- Using your palms, warm your eyes for 5 seconds, and repeat 3 times.
- Look up and roll your eyes in a circular motion to the left (10 times).
- Look up and roll your eyes in a circular motion to the right (10 times).
These exercises will help keep your eyes stronger for longer. It is advised you perform this routine first thing in the morning and before you sleep.
Vitamin Rich Diet
Further to exercising your eyes, your diet plays a vital role in ocular health. Certain nutrients, vitamins, minerals and supplements ensure healthy vision. Nourishment will contribute to better eye health in the long term and could put off wearing glasses or contact lenses for a longer time. It’s a myth that rabbits see in the dark because of carrots, but there is some truth there. Beta-carotene and vitamin A are essential for good vision, as are vitamins C and E. Additionally, copper and zinc and DHA fatty acids are crucial.
