Good eye sight is something many people take for granted, especially when they are young.
Yet we know it's very difficult to function properly without good eye sight.
Considering how delicate and intricate the eyes are, they are remarkably robust, but they still need to be taken care of.
So here are a few simple strategies that will help to keep the eyes healthy for as long as possible.
A good diet is essential for healthy eyes; there is plenty of truth in the old saying that carrots are good for your eyes.
Bilberries also have qualities that are very beneficial for eyesight; however a good balanced diet is the first building block for healthy eyes.
Make sure your liver and bowels are functioning properly, problems in these areas can be very detrimental to the eyes.
Smoking and too much alcohol will lead to damage over time, medical science is marvellous but only so much can be done to repair long term damage.
Some environments can be bad for the eyes, workplaces such as mining and manufacturing have obvious risks but are minimized with safety precautions.
Road traffic accounts for much ofsuburban pollution, country living can also cause problems because of dust in the air.
If you find that your eyes are gritty or dirty on a regular basis, try bathing them every day.
Use warm clean water or try the old fashioned remedy using warm milk which is very gentle on the eyes.
If you are suffering from dry eyes try the exercises for 'dry eyes' which may help to relieve the discomfort.
Working with computers all day can cause eye strain; optometrists say staring at a screen can cause headaches and blurred vision.
Try to get into the habit of glancing away from the screen at regular intervals.
Don't work through lunch and coffee breaks, during these times the eyes get a proper chance to rest and refocus.
If you have time, practise palming during the day, get plenty of sleep and rest since this is crucial for healthy eyes.
Exercise is very important for general well being, spending all your time at a desk or in front of a computer is not a recipe for healthy eyes.
Make an effort to get the body moving, pump the oxygen and blood round the body to help eliminate toxins.
When you are healthy, your eyes will appear clear and bright, the eyes are the window of the soul and one of the first things people notice about you.
Drink plenty of water especially if you live or work in a dry environment.
Air conditioning and heating can cause the skin to dry out so it's important to stay hydrated.
Wear sunglasses with a good UV rating, if you work outside use a pair that gives good coverage.
Sunglasses don't have to be expensive, visit a site which specialises in safety glasses and you will be surprised with the quality and design on offer.
If you do a lot of close work such as needlework make sure you have good lighting so that you don't strain the eyes.
If you notice any deterioration in your eyesight get an eye test.
Any inflammation or encrustation about the eyes should be checked out immediately to halt any potential damage or disease.
Eye tests are more than just a prescription for eye glasses, these days they are able to determine a lot more not only about the health of the eyes, but your health in general.
Often they are able to pick up early signs of disease; awareness means a better chance of treatment or a cure.
In the normal course of events eyes virtually exercise themselves, looking into the distance and then looking at something close means the eyes have to refocus naturally.
If you live and work in a close environment it might not always be possible to look at distant vistas so the eye muscles aren't working to capacity.
Eye exercises are a good way of overcoming this problem and could be helpful in reversing eye strain.
If you lead a busy life incorporate these exercises into your routine.
I use to do eye exercises while sitting at the bus stop on my way to work, using a high rise building as my focal point.
Your eyesight is far too valuable to be treated casually, with care and exercise they should remain healthy all your life.