Simple ways to have good eyesight for years to come - Strengthen your optic nerve

In today's dynamic world, in which our daily activities are mainly based on the use of electronic devices, our eyesight is becoming a key element for effective communication and knowledge acquisition. Regardless of our age or profession, we all want to enjoy perfect vision for years to come, enabling us to fully exploit the potential of the world around us.

The key to achieving this is strengthening the optic nerve - the connection between our eye and brain, which plays a not inconsiderable role in the vision process. In this article, we will discover together simple and effective ways to help strengthen the nerve and maintain healthy, strong eyesight for years to come.

What is the optic nerve?

In order to understand how important the optic nerve is in our daily functioning, it is necessary to zoom in on what it actually is and what it is responsible for. The optic nerve is the "cable" that connects our eyes to the brain. When we look at something, our eyes perceive images and transmit them via this nerve to the brain. There, in turn, the images are interpreted so that we experience the world around us. It is through this nerve that we can enjoy beautiful sights, read, learn about colours and shapes. It is one of the most important nerves, because it makes seeing possible at all!

What can await us when our eyesight fails? Diseases of the optic nerve

As mentioned earlier. Eye diseases affect almost all of us. It is hard to find a person who would consider his or her organ of vision to be working flawlessly. When talking about diseases of the cranial nerve, one can distinguish among others:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease characterised by increased intraocular pressure. In a healthy eye, the fluid in the eyeball circulates freely and maintains adequate pressure. However, with this disease, the fluid cannot drain freely, resulting in increased pressure.

Increased pressure can damage the cranial nerve and its fibres, which are responsible for sending images to the brain. Gradually, this can lead to deterioration of vision and, in extreme cases, even loss of vision.

Glaucoma often starts with the loss of individual elements, which can eventually lead to complete nerve atrophy - in other words, blindness.

The disease is often asymptomatic at onset, which is why it is referred to as the 'silent thief of sight'. People who are older, diabetic, overweight or have a family history of the disease have a higher risk of developing it. Regular eye examinations are very important to detect glaucoma early and implement appropriate treatment, which can delay the progression of the disease and prevent further damage to vision.

Do not just look after yourself in old age, as the condition can occur in the elderly as well as in children. 

Neuropathy of the optic nerve

Optic nerve neuropathy is a medical term describing damage or disease of the 2nd cranial nerve. Neuropathy can have various causes such as trauma, inflammation of the nerve, vascular circulatory problems in the eye, tumours , blood deficiency, inflammation of the nerve caused by infections or autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms associated with the condition can include decreased vision, blotting, reduced visual acuity, loss of vision in one or both eyes, and other disorders.

Treatment of neuropathy depends on the cause and severity of the damage. Sometimes it may be possible to stop the progression of the disease, while in other cases treatment may focus on minimising further damage and helping the patient to cope better with the limitations of their vision. It is always advisable to consult an ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for any visual problems.

Diet is key - what to eat to improve eyesight?

Component	How does it affect the eyes?	Where can it be found?
Vitamin A (retinol) and provitamin A (beta-carotene)	They are essential for the proper functioning of the retina. They help prevent macular degeneration, which reduces vision in low-light conditions. They also help to maintain a healthy corneal epithelium, which affects visual acuity.	Retinol mainly comes from animal products such as liver, fish, eggs and milk. Rich sources of carotenoids are, for example, carrots, pumpkin seeds, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, red peppers, parsley, mangoes.
B vitamins	B1 (thiamine) helps maintain healthy optic nerves.	Sources of thiamine include whole grain cereals, seeds, nuts, meat, and green vegetables.
	B2 (riboflavin) plays a role in protecting and maintaining a healthy eye epithelium. It also helps in the regeneration of the retina. It can support the health of the eyeball and protect it from harmful influences.	Sources of vitamin B2 include milk, eggs, offal, tuna, mackerel and broccoli.
	B3 (niacin, PP) can influence the health of the blood vessels in the eye, helping to maintain adequate blood circulation and the delivery of nutrients to the eye tissues. Niacin may also support overall eye performance.	Sources of vitamin B3 include fish, poultry, whole grain cereals, seeds and green vegetables.
	B6 (pyridoxine) is involved in the conduction of nerve signals, which can affect the proper functioning of the optic nerves and the nervous system responsible for vision.	Sources of vitamin B6 include meat, fish, bananas, potatoes, and nuts.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the eyes from free radical damage. Free radicals can damage eye cells, including the retina, which can lead to macular degeneration and other visual problems. Improves blood vessel health. Helps maintain healthy blood circulation, including circulation in the small blood vessels in the eye.  Tissue regeneration. A substance required for the production of collagen, which is an essential component of many tissues, including the cornea and lens of the eye. Collagen is responsible for maintaining the elasticity and healthy state of eye tissues.   Reducing the risk of cataracts. Some studies suggest that a diet rich in vitamin C may help reduce the risk of cataracts, one of the main causes of sight loss in older people.	Fresh fruit and vegetables such as oranges, lemons, kiwi, strawberries, red peppers, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower.
Vitamin D3	Prevention of inflammation: it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the risk of eye and retinal inflammation.   Immune system support. Important for the proper functioning of the immune system, which can help prevent infections that may affect eye health.   Effects on hormones and regulation of cell growth. It can affect the appropriate regulation of cell growth, including eye cells, which may be beneficial to their health.	We can obtain it mainly through exposure to sunlight. Our skin produces it when exposed to UVB radiation. In addition, it can be found in certain foods such as salmon, tuna and dairy products (e.g. eggs, milk).
Vitamin E	Protection against oxidation. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect eye cells from the effects of harmful oxidants. Formed in the body as a result of oxidative stress, excess oxidants can damage retinal cells and cause macular degeneration.   Supports epithelial health. Helps maintain a healthy eye epithelium, including the corneal epithelium, which is responsible for the correct refraction of light on the surface of the eye.   Improving blood circulation. It can affect vasodilation, which can improve blood circulation in the eyes and the delivery of nutrients to the eye tissues.	Nuts (almonds, cashew nuts), corn, cabbage, seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), vegetable oils (e.g. canola oil, olive oil), green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale) and avocados.
Zinc	It is important for the health of the retina. It helps in the production of melanin, which is essential for its proper functioning. It also helps with the absorption of vitamin A, which is crucial for good vision in low light. In addition, it is involved in protecting against oxidative stress, which can damage eye cells.	Seafood (e.g. oysters), pumpkin seeds, meat, nuts, sunflower seeds and dairy products.
Selenium	Selenium is also an antioxidant and helps to protect eye cells from oxidant damage. It protects the retina and supports its health.	Meat, eggs, sunflower seeds and whole grain cereal products.
Copper	Copper is important for the production of collagen, which is an essential part of many tissues, including the cornea of the eye. Collagen helps to maintain the elasticity and health of the eyes. It is also involved in the conduction of nerve impulses, which is important for the proper functioning of the optic nerves.	Nuts, seeds, cocoa, seafood, dark poultry meat and liver.
Manganese	It is involved in the neutralisation of oxidants, which may help to protect the retina from oxidative damage.	Beans, whole grain cereal products, spinach and tea.
Lutein	Lutein, also known as the 'eye pill', is an extremely important chemical compound that has a significant effect on our vision and eye health. It is a type of carotenoid, which is a plant substance that the human body is unable to produce on its own. Therefore, it is necessary to provide lutein with food to support our eyesight and keep it in good condition for years to come. In addition, lutein supports retinal function by increasing the density of pigment in the macula, resulting in improved visual acuity and the ability to recognise details.	Leafy vegetables with an intense green colour, such as kale, arugula or lettuce. In addition, yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins or peppers, egg yolks, which are excellent sources of lutein.

All specialists agree that the key to preventive eye care, in addition to regular visits to a specialist, is a proper diet rich in nutrients that protect our sight and influence its correct functioning. Below, we have prepared an overview of vitamins and minerals that will help you improve your eyesight. 

Exercises for better eyesight

Fixations

Fixations are one of the techniques for better vision exercises that aim to improve the eye's ability to focus on different points. These exercises help to strengthen the eye muscles, increase the flexibility of the eyeballs and improve the eye's ability to maintain visual acuity and precision.

Training involves tracing designated points on a piece of paper, computer screen or other object with the eye. These can be, for example, letters, numbers, dots, shapes or objects placed in different locations on the surface. The exercise involves focusing the eye on a given point for a set period of time and then moving the eye to another point.

When performing fixations, it is important to avoid overly straining the eyes and holding the head in a stationary position. Exercises should be performed smoothly and without overstimulation. Adequate lighting should also be remembered so that the eyes are not overstrained.

Training has a positive effect on the optic nerve and the entire visual system. It is one of the training methods that help to strengthen the eye muscles, improve vision and its concentration, and increase the flexibility of the eyeballs.

Drawing eights

During the exercise, different eye movements are performed, such as moving the eyes in an 'H', 'X', 'O' or '8' shape. The various movements engage different groups of eye muscles and require precise control of eye movement.

Performing the movements on a regular basis helps to strengthen the eye muscles, increase their flexibility and improve the ability to quickly transfer vision between different points. As a result, the optic nerve receives more precise signals from the eyes, which improves the quality and sharpness of vision.

Exercise is also designed to reduce eye fatigue, which can result from focusing on a single point for long periods of time, as is often the case when working in front of computer screens or other electronic devices. Performing a variety of eye movements allows the eye muscles to relax and reduce tension, which contributes to overall eye comfort.

Peptides to improve vision - semax 1%

The aforementioned exercise and diet are solutions that have been known and appreciated for a long time by all kinds of specialists and should not be abandoned. However, it is worth pointing out that those looking for ways to enhance vision point to the beneficial effects of the peptide that is semax 1 %. The substance is a nootropic peptide that is used to improve cognitive function, but as you can see, not only. It can show effective effects on vision and improve its function. In Russia, the preparation is officially recognised as a medicine, but within the European Union this is not the case for the time being. Appropriate dosage of semax depends on the problem the person is struggling with. However, it is assumed to be two sprays with an atomiser in the morning and evening, over a period of about two weeks. It is advisable to start with minimal doses and increase the dose over time, observing how the body reacts to the substance. 

Studies conducted on the substance have shown that neuroprotective therapy using the substancesemax 1% was more effective than traditional treatments. In addition, the introduction of the compound into the treatment of visual diseases enabled faster recovery. Increased visual field, improved acuity and improved colour vision were observed in patients.