Diet is of utmost importance for the health and beauty of the eyes. Natural, uncooked foods are the best diet. These include fresh fruit such as oranges, apples, grapes, peaches, papaya and pomegranate; green vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, spinach, turnip tops; root vegetables like potatoes, turnips, carrot, onions and beetroots; nuts, dried fruits and dairy products.
Cereals are also necessary but they should be consumed sparingly. Genuine whole meal bread is the best and most suitable. Jams, cakes, pastries, white sugar, white bread, tea and coffee, together with meat and fish, soon play havoc with the digestion and the body. Constipating or wind forming foods, alcohol and other intoxicating substances are also harmful and should be avoided.
Each of the essential nutrients needed by the body plays some part in the health and beauty of the eyes. The effect of vitamin A upon the eyes is, however, most pronounced. For normal and healthy eyes, liberal amount of vitamin A must be continuously supplied by the food. The valuable sources of this vitamin are cod liver oil, whole milk, curd, butter, egg yolk, pumpkin, carrots, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, mango, papaya, orange and melon.
If vitamin A is in short supply, the eyes may become sensitive to bright lights and a person may suffer from visual fatigue and a consequent feeling of tiredness. If a deficiency of this vitamin becomes severe, visual fatigue and sensitivity to light grow progressively more pronounced.
To keep the eyes normal, beautiful and bright, an adult should have at least 10,000 units of vitamin A daily. Persons using their eyes for long hours or working either in extremely bright light require more of this vitamin that those who use their eyes for short hours. This vitamin is also essential to the health of certain tissues, known as mucous membranes, which line such body cavities as the tear ducts and tear glands. Healthy mucous membrane, or the normal flow of tears determines the highlights, the sparkle, the charming plays of shadows in the eyes.
Another vitamin necessary for visual health is riboflavin, or vitamin B2. valuable natural sources of this vitamin are green leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, egg, citrus fruit, banana, tomato, brewer’s yeast, almonds and sunflower seeds. Dull eyes and abnormal vision due to riboflavin deficiency can thus be found in almost any person who fails to eat these foods.
A healthy diet of milk, butter, fruits, green vegetables and protein should be taken for the proper care of the eyes. Raw carrots, contain vitamins which help maintain the eyes in a healthy and bright condition. They should therefore be taken liberally.
Tears are believed to be beneficial to the eyes are they wash the eyes clean of dust and other particles. Medically, it is known that the enzyme lysozyme present in the lachrymal secretions antibacterial and destroys pathogenic germs that enter the eyes. There are certain ways recommended to increase lachrymator like squeezing the rind of the orange or lime, crushing an onion close to the eyes and instilling a few drops of oil. Those who habituate their system to these particles form a young age will beneficial greatly. To start on these practices suddenly may not be easy.
Amongst the various natural substances, the use of castor oil is highly beneficial for the eyes. A few drops of this oil should be put daily in each eye. This causes increased lachrymator of the eyes for a while but leaves the eyes clean and cool. Regular massage of the scalp with castor oil decrease eye strain.
The herb nutmeg (jaiphal) exercise beneficial effect on the eyes. It is rich in fats and volatile oils. A paste of this herb made with milk may be applied all around the eyes and over the eyelids. It will have a cooling effect.
Triphla, an ayurvedic preparation consisting of three myrobalands, namely, emblic myrobalan (amla), chebulic myrobalan (harad) and belleric myrobalan (behera), is considered beneficial for long eyelashes and sparkling eyes. A teaspoon of this preparation should be soaked overnight in a cup of water. It should be pored through a clean muslin cloth and the eyes should be washed with it. The eyes should be also be dabbed with the cloth for a minute. If a burning sensation is felt in the eyes, the water should be cooled in the refrigenerator before use.
Cold tea can be used to brighten tired eyes. A cotton wool pad soaked in cold ea can be used as eye pads for this purpose.
Bathing the eyes in warm water to which a little salt has been added, can brighten them. It also helps to relieve puffiness. A cotton wool pad dipped in a salt water solution, containing one tablespoon of salt in half a liter of water, can also be used as an eye pack for the same purpose.
Another important factor for the beauty of the eye is sleep. Without adequate sleep, the eyes can look puffy, bloodshot and even become encircled by dark shadows. At least seven hours of sleep is the average daily pattern. Whenever one misses out on sleep, it should be made good as soon as possible. As and when time permits, one should take a few minutes off to close the eyes and relax.
The eyes should also be protected form long exposure to strong sunlight. The glare created by sunlight can harm the eyes. It will be advisable to wear sunglasses outdoors. It should, however, be insured that the quality of the glasses used is good.
