When Should you go for LASIK?

The constant development and continuing refining techniques of LASIK surgery has been successful in offering people with a clearer vision. Millions of people who had been depending upon contact lenses and corrective eye wears have now attained near-perfect eyesight with the help of LASIK, a refractive eye surgery that alters the shape of cornea. By doing so, the light rays are focused accurately on retina. The efficacy and safety of LASIK has been well established as a result of decades of advances made in the underlying technology. In spite of technological innovations made in the arena of LASIK surgery, complications still exists; hence, it is of prime importance for a patient to ascertain whether he/she is an ideal candidate for LASIK. This can be easily determined by having a clear picture of various reasons for which one could undergo a LASIK surgery.

LASIK might be a feasible option for a person suffering from Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (far sightedness) or some form of astigmatism. All these conditions fall under the category of refractive errors. In contrast to other eye diseases, these conditions are not progressive in nature. For some people the condition might improve as time passes hence there might be no need for a LASIK surgery to be performed. A person suffering from Presbyopia cannot be treated by LASIK surgery. In majority of cases, LASIK surgery candidate is expected to have completed 18 years of age with a stable contact lens or eye wear prescription at least for a span of two years. In addition, a person’s corneal thickness is measured to determine if the candidate is suitable for the surgery.

For some people LASIK surgery involves a great amount of risk. For example, people affected by autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or HIV which is an immune deficiency disease, the chances of healing after surgery is lesser and the possibility of infections and other related complications following the surgery are greater. This makes it clear that such people should not consider undergoing LASIK.

People with other eye diseases like dry eyes are likely to have a delayed healing after the surgery. Surgeons suggest that if a person’s vision is constantly deteriorating due to other diseases, the candidate might be considered ineligible for LASIK. People with facial bone anomalies or deep-set eyes might also be considered a poor candidate for LASIK. It is of prime importance to take these specifics into consideration and discuss every detail with your LASIK surgeon prior to making a decision, in order to avoid a LASIK disaster.

How to improve your vision with simple eye exercises

The importance of a regular eye care routine need not be stressed in today’s scenario where human eyes are continuously put to strain. Hours together of watching television and working with computers throughout the day are bound to have adverse effects on your vision. While it’s impossible to avoid causing strain to the eyes, what we can do is incorporate certain simple eye exercises in our routine. The eye exercises that have been explained below help to improve and strengthen your vision and calm your mind by relaxing your perception.

Guidelines to follow while practicing Eye Exercises:

· Sit cross legged with your back straight and hands placed loosely on the knees.

· Do not move your head, neck or back while doing these exercises as they only involve training specific muscles of your eyes while maintaining the rest of the body motionless.

· It is not the focusing act that is significant but the gentle firm movement of your eyes in different directions.

· Practice these exercises everyday at least once to experience improvement in your vision.

Eye Exercises:

1 Up- Down Movements:

With your eyes wide open; look up and down slowly for 10 times. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the relaxation in your eye muscles.

2 Left – Right Movements:

Again open your eyes wide; alternate the movement of your eyes to left and then right. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes and take a deep breath to relax the eye muscles.

3 Diagonal Movements:

With your eyes wide open; alternate the movement your eyes to upper left followed by lower right. Repeat ten times. Now look to your upper right and then lower left.. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes to breathe deeply and relax.

5 Circling Movements:

Open your eyes wide. Rotate them in a clockwise motion. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes to relax. Practice this routine in an anti-clockwise direction 10 times and close your eyes for relaxation.

Finishing Routine:

Rub your hands together firmly till they become warm. Now gently place your and on your closed eyes and let the warmth spread, providing relaxation to your eyes.

Positive effects of Red Wine and Dark Chocolate on Cardiovascular System

We have always been taught to believe that to stay healthy; we need to stay away from the food that we find extremely tempting and delicious. Be it the crispy French Fries dipped in mayonnaise, cheese filled pizzas, soft & creamy pastries or the hard-to-resist chocolate milkshakes, all we have heard is ‘Extra fat’, ‘Harmful Cholesterol’, ‘Unwanted Calories’ and the list goes on. But what if you are told that the dark chocolate that never failed to make your day and Red Wine that was always a part of your celebrations have positive effects on your cardiovascular system? Unbelievable isn’t it? Read for yourself and know the amazing effects that Red Wine and Dark Chocolate can have on your body.

What makes them special?

Ruby Red Wine and Deep Dark Chocolate are claimed to be two of the richest foods available to mankind. Polyphenols that is present in them are beneficial for the cardiovascular system of humans. Hence red wine and dark chocolate can be considered an epitome for how eating for delight could also mean eating for good health.

Functions of Polyphenols:

Polyphenols are antioxidants that can be seen in large varieties of vegetables, fruits and even spices. Research conducted in a French university, Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, suggests that red wine along with dark chocolate and tea are some of the richest sources of this compound. It was also found that the qualities exhibited by this compound contribute greatly to the wellness of our circulatory system and heart. Polyphenol is inhibits the possibility of artery plaque, helps in regulation of blood vessels, and has vasoprotective and antihypertensive tendencies.

Interesting Fact:

Jeanne Calment who holds the pride of highest recorded life span ate 1 kilo of chocolate every week and had a regular habit of drinking red port wine. She dies in 1997 at the age of 122. She was also a regular smoker till the age of 117. A recent article published by Science Daily suggests that dark chocolate has the tendency to reduce the adverse effects of smoking on the heart.

Although it’s pretty amazing to know the positive side of Red Wine and Dark Chocolate, it is important to have some limit imposed on the quantity of our intakes. Else it could lead to other complications. Don’t hesitate to indulge yourself in the pleasure of Dark chocolate and Red wine but always remember to stay in your limits. Eat healthy! Live Healthy!