Skip to main content

Are our eyes ageing faster than our bodies?

Improved standard of living and better medical facilities have certainly made the world a better place to live. 

Our life span has increased; we are outliving our ancestors and the overall quality of our life has improved significantly since last few decades, but everythingโ€™s not hunky-dory. 

Are our eyes aging faster than our other organs in our body?


In fact,  our eyes are aging faster than our bodies!

Do eyes age faster compared to other organs in our body?


Compared to our ancestors we are enjoying better health - no doubts about it, but we are possibly outliving our eyeballs say the Australian researchers working at The Vision Centre in Australia.


What they are trying to convey is, people who have added many more years to their lives than their ancestors enjoyed are in fact, suffering from deteriorating night vision and even blindness. 

Photoreceptors in the eyes are the key.


Team leader Professor Jonathan Stone explains: "Each eyeball starts out with some 150 million light- catching photoreceptors at birth - but these begin to die at the rate of several hundred a day, explaining why a person's vision deteriorates over time. 

Many people retain as many as 100 million or more photoreceptors in each eye when they are in their 80s, but for others their eyesight has by then begun to deteriorate."  So he and his team are looking for ways of preserving these photoreceptors for as long as possible into late age.

Anulom Vilom or Nadi shodhan pranayam or alternate nostril breathing exercise may help


As part of his research, he is looking into how foods rich in antioxidants can help protect eyes against light damage. Acute high oxygen, for instance, he remarks is protective to photoreceptors and tends to make them respond better. 

Now that bit of info explains why a regular practice of the breathing exercise Anulom vilom pranayama, that apparently increases oxygen intake  is seen to improve a personโ€™s eyesight over a period of time. 

Outdoor sun exposure while young and protective gear as you grow older may help your eyes.


Professor Jonathan Stone further mentions that apart from genetics, the rate at which a person loses their photoreceptors is determined by their amount of life-exposure. So his advice to people over 20โ€™s is to always wear sunglasses when outdoors in bright light.

However, thereโ€™s an interesting twist to this theory as another research has also found that children spending two or three hours outside each day halve their chance of developing near-sightedness (myopia).

Researchers believe that natural light โ€“ sunlight, which can be hundreds of times brighter than indoor light triggers the release of a chemical called dopamine that supposedly prevents the distortion of the eyeball - which causes this condition.

So researchers conclude saying that we have to strike a correct balance between more outdoor exposure in childhood & youth (below 20's) to prevent myopia (near-sightedness) and in later years try and make greater use of light protection eye gear, in the form of sunglasses or specially formulated contact lenses to prevent age-related degeneration.

Are our eyes aging faster than the rest of our body?



Conclusion

For better eyesight and to avoid conitons like nearsigtedness or myopia, exposure to sunlight in childhood years and using sunglasses to protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun will help!

See also:

Comments

  1. Adding powerful antioxidants to your diet
    can improve your eye health.

    Thereโ€™s no substitute for the quality of life good vision offers. Adding certain nutrients to your diet every day โ€“ either through foods or supplements โ€“ can help save your vision. Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including macular degeneration and cataract formation. Source: AOA

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments posted on this blog are moderated and approved only if they are relevant, on-topic and not abusive. Avoid using links to your site/blog in the body of your comment unless it is highly relevant to the post.

Popular posts from this blog

5 Emotional Sad Short Stories To Make You Cry Immediately

Today Iโ€™m going to relate a few emotional, sad short stories that will make you cry immediately. Crying โ€“ is that even good for you? Isnโ€™t crying associated with weakness? Wellโ€ฆ

21 Bindi Quotes That Illuminate Tradition, Spirituality, and Modern Identity

The bindi , a small yet striking dot adorning the forehead , has long been a symbol of cultural pride, spiritual devotion, and aesthetic beauty in South Asian traditions. While its visual appeal is undeniable, the bindi carries profound meanings that transcend its physical form. In this piece, we delve into the world of bindi quotes โ€”words that capture the essence of this timeless adornment. From ancient proverbs to contemporary reflections, these quotes celebrate the bindiโ€™s role as a bridge between tradition and modernity. (Curious about the history and styles of the bindi? Explore my previous article: The Bindi Forehead Dot: A Small Dot with Big Significance .) The Bindi as a Symbol of Feminine Power The bindiโ€™s legacy extends beyond tradition โ€”it is a bold declaration of feminine energy and resilience. Rooted in the concept of Shakti (divine feminine power), it symbolizes creativity, strength, and the unyielding spirit of women. Historically, the red bindi marked marital status,...

Pore shrinking mask recipes from home

A face with large open pores when seen from close quarters doesnโ€™t look so good. While itโ€™s quite common for oily skins to have a tendency towards open pores, an attack of pimples also leaves ugly scars and open pores behind.  Even though the scars may fade away after some time, open pores appear to be more obstinate and hardly show any signs of shrinking.  Age also takes its toll by giving an uneven/pigmented tone to the skin and making the open pores more prominent. Heredity could also be a contributing factor in determining your pore size. Itโ€™s not easy to get rid of these pores or shrink them completely or permanently using serums, lotions or face packs. Even resorting to drastic chemical/surgical procedures at the dermatologistโ€™s isnโ€™t quite capable of giving satisfactory results.  Nevertheless, you can try and minimize their appearance at least temporarily with clever makeup and a few natural skin care masks such as these: * Cleanse your face with a mild ...

Holi Diet and Hydration: Staying Healthy During the Festivities

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India. It marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and a time for communities to come together in a riot of colors, music, and dance. However, amidst the fun and frolic, itโ€™s easy to overlook the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated. With rich foods, sugary treats, and long hours of outdoor activities, itโ€™s crucial to strike a balance between indulgence and well-being. In this post, weโ€™ll explore how you can enjoy Holi to the fullest while keeping your health in check through mindful eating, proper hydration, and safe practices. Why Diet and Hydration Matter During Holi Holi is synonymous with indulgence. From gujiyas and thandai to fried snacks and sweets, the festival is a culinary delight. However, overindulging in these treats can lead to digestive issues, energy crashes, and dehydration, especially when combined with hours of playing outdoors under the ...

Kapalabhati Pranayam for wrinkle-free, radiant complexion

Did you know that Kapalabhati Pranayam / kriya can also be used to enhance your beauty and ward off skin aging? Done the right way,  Kapalabhati Pranayam can be used as a beauty aid - it can give you a wrinkle-free, luminous forehead and radiant complexion. Kapalabhati For Beauty   โ€˜Kapalabhatiโ€™ Pranayam breathing exercise is an excellent way of maintaining good health and fighting diseases. โ€˜Kapalaโ€™ means โ€˜skullโ€™ (and โ€˜foreheadโ€™ also) and โ€˜bhatiโ€™ means โ€˜shiningโ€™. By doing kapalabhati, the โ€˜nadisโ€™(nerves) of the brain get good exercise. This is achieved by exercising the diaphragm. There will be a glow on the forehead. After the age of 25, the tell-tale signs of ageing start making their appearance in the form of fine lines on the forehead. A regular practice of Kapalabhati for 10-15 minutes everyday will give you a tight forehead sans wrinkles for many years to come. Avoid Botox, try Kapalabhati Why resort to Botox   and other expensive chemical or surgica...