As we age, our vision deteriorates, and becomes blurry.
This is a fact! However, we can still delay or slow down the deterioration
process.
First of all, why does the human eye become blurry due to
aging?
There are many factors. But let us look at one major
factor: lack of use of the peripheral vision (which is our side vision).
In normal vision, we use the macula in the human eye,
which is responsible for central and detailed vision, and we also use our
peripheral vision to see what is on the right and on the left side. In other
words, normal vision is made up the central and the peripheral vision. As we
continue to age, we tend to stare (just like staring at our
cell phone or computer screen) that we unconsciously neglect our
use of the side vision. Use it or lose it. Does it make sense? Our side vision
slowly and gradually deteriorates over the years without our knowing it.
Using less side vision, we tend to rely more on
the macula; as a result, we also unconsciously overuse the
macula. This has led to blurry vision. The more we use the macula, the less we
use the peripheral vision. The result is that we lose both the
macula and the peripheral vision. It is just that simple.
Let me use a simple illustration. Say, you are the Chief
Chef, and you have two assistants to help you in the kitchen. But all along you
have been doing almost everything yourself without relying on your
assistants. Ultimately, you have overworked yourself, and your assistants,
accordingly, have become lazy. This scenario is pretty much the same as our use
of the macula and peripheral vision.
If you see an ophthalmologist, probably he or she would
tell you to have another pair of glasses, and your problem will not be fixed.
How can we improve our peripheral vision to overcome blurry
vision? The answer is simple: use your peripheral vision more, so
as to use your central vision (macula) less.
Stretch out your hands sideways, and move or wave your
fingers. Your eyes are still looking forward in front of you, but you are
now aware of the motion of your fingers on both sides. It is
this awareness that stimulates your
peripheral vision. Practice this as often as possible. Even when you are
walking, you can move your hands sideways and make your eyes aware of
the motion of your hands on each side.
Of course, you may find this tedious and tiring to move
your hands sideways to stimulate your peripheral vision. There is, however,
another way to do this.
Go to a Dollar shop and get light-powered sunflowers or
toys (you can also get them online; they cost just a few dollars). If you are
working on your computer, put them on the two sides of your computer screen—as
far apart as possible--so that while your eyes are focusing on the computer
screen, the movement of the sunflowers (they are powered by natural or
artificial light) are within your side vision, and will unconsciously but
continuously stimulate your peripheral vision. In other words, you will "notice"
something "flickering" on your sides to stimulate your side vision
even though your eyes are still looking at the center of the computer screen.
Believe me, this is an inexpensive and unconventional way
to protect your side vision from deteriorating.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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