The best beauty advice for beautiful eyes you can be given is to get a good nights sleep. The effects are that your eyes will look clearer and you’ll be more alert and ready to cope with the day ahead.

However, for many people getting a good nights sleep is easier said than done.

Some of us are too wound up when we go to bed to sleep properly.

Others fall asleep straight a way but wake up in the early hours tossing and turning.

You might be a light sleeper and be disturbed by the slightest noises during the night.

Circumstances can affect our sleep patterns in many different ways.

Well we all have periods of sleeplessness, caused by worry, small babies that need attention, stress, illness, restless partner or even caused by watching a late night horror movie.

It is very easy to fall into a bad sleeping rhythm without realizing the cause. Try to work out the possible reason and make the effort to avoid or change whatever the habit is that is affecting your nights rest. It might be something that you really enjoy at the time but the sacrifice will be worth it. You will look and feel better, be more alert and better able to cope and those eyes will look sparkling.

Insomnia affects millions of people. Sleep is vital for your well being, both physical and mental. Lack of a good night’s sleep can aggravate the immune cells in the body for the following 24 hours. It contributes to accidents due to fatigue and lack of alertness. After a good nights sleep you feel healthier, more alive and able to cope with almost anything.

If you have sleep problems, here are some tried and tested tips.

• Cut down on late night drinks of tea and coffee, they contain caffeine, which will keep you awake. It is also a good idea to cut out alcohol at least an hour or two before going to bed.

• Do not go to bed on a full stomach so avoid eating too late as this could interfere with your digestive system and cause restlessness. One way of getting out of the sleepless habit is to eat in the early evening at about 6.30 pm or as near as possible.

• Avoid heavy food or richly spiced food. If you must indulge then eat them at lunchtime.

• Don’t take too much heavy exercise just before bedtime; it is best done during the day.

• Sometimes it helps to have a special routine at bedtime, like taking a hot bath with a few drops of calming aromatherapy oil, such as sandalwood or lavender that will help relax you.

• Try listening to relaxing music and create a nice atmosphere with scented candles and soft lighting.

• Drink a cup of chamomile tea just before going to bed. This herbal drink has very relaxing and calming properties that will help you to nod off.

• Try to switch off your mind from your daily problems by reading a book that is not too dramatic. A nice easy going read that does not make you want to keep turning over to the next page. Potboilers are out.

• Buy an herbal pillow

• Once in bed make a nightly routine of relaxing all the muscles in your body one by one.

• Just make yourself very comfortable and let your mind just drift.

• Remember that old saying “an hour before midnight is worth two after” and it is true.

Grapefruit and parsley are both effective and refreshing astringents, perfect for oily skin, so why not give this simple beauty recipe a try.

GRAPEFRUIT & PARSLEY FACE MASK 

• 3 tablespoons very fine oatmeal (whirl oatmeal in a food processor, if necessary)

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 1/2 large grapefruit

• olive or sunflower oil

Mix 3 tablespoons of very fine oatmeal with two tablespoons of chopped parsley in a bowl. Add juice from half of a large grapefruit until you have a soft paste.  Let the mixture rest 5 minutes. Spread soft mixture over your face and let dry for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Follow with toner and moisturizer. (courtesy of spaindex)

Believe it or not we all have horrid little bugs living in our eyelashes.

Yuk!

But don’t worry about it. They are so tiny, less than 0.4 mm long, you will not be able to see them. Being so small they are known as micro-organisms, and they are actually good bugs as they fight off the bad bacteria which comes from the bad outside world and help to keep us healthy. They are, in fact, just a tiny number of the millions of tiny animals that live off our bodies.

Demodex Folliculorum

as they are known, live around hair follicles, mainly on the face and into the outer ear channel. They live head down in the follicles, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris. Their life cycle  is 14 to 18 days and during this time one female will lay up to 25 eggs. The process is repeated over and over as they journey to new feeding ground in the next follicle. An adult male has 4 pairs of legs and at night they move 1 cm per hour and travel onto the skin.

Unfortunately, infection of the eye can occur if  large numbers are present in one single lash follicle. This can lead to the lash falling out. The cause of this is unknown but it is more common in oily skinned people  or people with less than adequate hygiene. Increasing age will often result in diseases like blepharitis, due to these bugs.

Floaters are those little dark specs that you see in the background of your eye intermittently.  They may form to one side and move as you move your eye to see them, so they are always just out of direct line of sight.

They are generally easiest to see when looking at plain back grounds such as a clear sky or a light plain colored wall.

The floaters are actually small pieces of gel or cells that are inside the vitreous fluid.  That is the clear jelly like substance or fluid that is found in the inside of your eye.

Some people claim that they see strands or web like images or maybe even small bugs.   What you are really seeing are the shadows of the floaters.  The shadows are cast on the retina which is the part of the eye that is light-sensitive.

Others even claim that they see flashes of light.  This is usually caused by the mechanical stimulation of the eyes’ photoreceptors when the vitreous fluid pulls on the light-sensitive retina.

Again some people may also see these flashes if they have been hit hard in the head.  That can be a warning sign that the retina could be detaching.

Floaters can also come from small vessels in the eye leaking and creating miniscule clumps. Most of the time floaters are harmless and just come with age.

There are weightlifters who report developing floaters after taking up the sport. They also have found links to floaters and continual use of the computer. Could it be that floaters are caused by tension in the upper body?

If they occur frequently and block vision while driving or functioning on a job that requires your complete focus, that is another case altogether. You should see your ophthamologist.

In rare cases a floater could be more than just a simple cell mass. There is a potential that it might be a foreign body in the eye or the onset of an eye disease.

Floaters have also been linked to glaucoma and if they suddenly appear or are accompanied with flashes of light you should get immediate medical attention..

Your vision is too important to take any chances so remember if you notice an abundance of new floaters, have narrowing side vision or begin to experience a series of lightening bolts in your line of vision, you should get it examined.

There are many reasons why eyes become red or bloodshot. Some are of no medical concern, other reasons can be indications of medical problems or even emergencies.Whatever the reasons red or bloodshot eyes are not an attractive sight, especially when forming that most important first impression through eye contact.

Bloodshot eyes, also known as red eyes or in medical speak, Sceral injection or Conjuctival injection, are caused by enlarged dilated blood vessels showing on the surface of the eye.

The intensity of the redness is not indicative of the seriousness of the condition but if accompanied by pain or itchiness in the eye then medical attention should be sought.

Amongst the more common causes for red eyes is their exposure to dust and other foreign bodies, infection, a blow or impact trauma to the eye, dry air or an allergy such as hay fever.

Excessive coughing or other strain can result a dense red blotch to appear on the white of the eye (Scelera) which is caused by a minor burst or haemorrage of a small surface blood vessel. As long as it does not hurt do not be concerned as it will clear up without treatment within a few days.

The most common cause of eye redness needing treatment is Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. This is an infection of the eye resulting in inflammation that can vary in intensity from irritating to extremely uncomfortable and painful.

There are several causes including allergies viruses and bacteria. Conjunctivitis can be contagious so avoid rubbing the eyes and safely dispose of any tissues etc. used to wipe away the tears and watering that accompany this infection and seek advice.

Blepharitis is an infection of the eyelids resulting in itchiness, bloodshot eyes, and an unpleasant crustiness and greasiness around the lids – not a pleasant sight. It is caused by bacteria that inflame the eye lash follicles so be sure to stick to a regular cleaning regime when removing eye makeup.

Detached Retina can be caused by a blow to the eye or head which will affect the inside back of the eyeball where focused images are received. Other causes relate to  short sightedness and age. The fluid in the eyeball can undergo a change when we reach 50-60 years old making the eye more susceptible to this problem.

The key is to recognize the symptom as soon as possible, treat as an emergency and seek immediate help at your nearest eye clinic. The good news is that in most cases the lesion can be repaired painlessly by Laser treatment. The early sign is the appearance usually in the corner of the field of vision of the affected eye of a crescent shaped black area that can within a short time spread obliterating all the eye’s vision.

Although not always directly related to eye redness this condition can lead to loss of sight in the affected eye unless the symptoms are recognized and immediate treatment is carried out. As a point of interest many boxers have had their careers curtailed by the governing bodies after suffering from a detached retina.

Corneal Scratches cause redness and can be acutely painful. Sand, grit or other foreign bodies including contact lenses, can scratch the transparent area (Cornea) of the eyes surface. Grit trapped under a contact lens can be particularly nasty and users of contacts are advised to wear eye protection such as sunglasses in windy conditions where sand or dust can be flying about.

Be aware that some drugs can cause eye redness, in particular blood thinning drugs can be responsible. Seek the advice of your physician if in doubt.

Hopefully this information will help you to avoid or at least reduce eye redness problems. It is so important to your looks and self confidence that your eyes are clear and healthy looking when you make that first eye contact with others.

The essential differences in vision experience between contact lens and spectacles or eyeglasses is peripheral sight.

Spectacle frames obscure or block sideways, upward and downward sight whereas contact lens cause no obstruction to all round vision.

When you look outside the perimeter of the spectacle frame objects will appear blurred or distorted, as you are not looking through the corrective lens.

The distance between the eye and the spectacle lens can make objects seem bigger or smaller depending on whether the wearer is long or short sighted.

Contact lenses are located in contact with and covering the cornea. The ophthalmologist will take precise measurements of the eye surface in order for the contact lens to fit comfortably and provide the necessary vision correction.

Unlike spectacles, contact lenses do not get scratched, mist up or cause vision problems when out in the rain so are ideal for active outdoor types and sportspeople.

Although many people quickly adapt to wearing contact lenses there are some who experience considerable discomfort. Most ophthalmologists will provide a pair of contact lens for a trial period and will advise if the wearer is unlikely to adapt to them.

There are two basic types of contact lens, soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP) with variations in both types.

Both main types can be used to correct most kind of vision defects. Soft lens are the most popular with the majority of wearers as they are quicker and easier to get used to with RGP lens more suitable for continuous use over a long period.

It is hard to believe that the extraordinary artist, scientist and visionary, Leonardo da Vinci is credited with the concept of contact lens for sight correction five hundred years ago.

It is a matter of record that various scientists came up with ideas to advance the notion of a contact lens for sight correction until three hundred years later a renowned British astronomer, chemist and pioneer in photography, Sir John Hershel, advanced the idea of making a mold of the cornea and applying a “spherical capsule filled with animal jelly”

In 1887, FE Muller, a German glass blower, successfully produced the first contact that we would recognise today.

A transparent covering that rested on the eye surface that could be tolerated. In the following year another German, AE Fick, developed the first contact lens that was successful in improving vision.

Over the next one hundred and twenty years contact lens have been steadily improved to the point where only isolated cases of sufferers from visual impairment are unable to enjoy the benefits of contacts

But time moves on and now affordable laser treatment is widely available to improve vision to 20/20 levels to sufferers of short or long sight. The big bonus is no more reliance on either contacts or eyeglasses.

Also available, but at a cost, are lens transplants where the defective lens is replaced with a man made substitute to provide perfect vision. Even some US fighter pilots have had the lens replacement procedure to give them extraordinary eyesight.

Over two thousand five hundred years ago there are records of cataract surgery where the defective cloudy lens was removed. In the last fifty years this operation and the substitution of a corrective artificial lens has saved the sight of many millions.

Now the transplant procedure has been developed to such accuracy that the majority of sufferers from short, long or other lens defects can enjoy perfect vision by undertaking a day to day, virtually pain and risk free operation

Not all of us manage to apply eye makeup with the expert touch but sometimes mistakes can be avoided. If you think you may be guilty of eye makeup mismanagement you can either ask a friend for a truthful appraisal or follow the advice below to make some corrections.

Mistakes

Eyeliner

• Too heavy

• Too wide

• Too dark

• Upward curve at outer edge too elongated

Correction – How to Apply Eyeliner |  Tips & Tricks

Eyebrows

• Drawn with a heavy hand usually with a hard pencil

• Taken outside the edge of the eye

Correction – How To Shape Your Eyebrows Perfectly

Eyelashes

• Clumpy

• Heavy false eyelashes which hang straight down giving a spider look
  

Correction - How To Apply False Eyelashes Professionally

Eye Shadow

• Garish bright blue lids during the day
  

Correction – How to Choose Your Eye Shadow

The prospect of losing your vision is not a pleasant one. But the reality is that a great many people will lose at least a good deal of sight as they age.

While some will become significantly visually impaired, others with become legally blind. Three age-related eye diseases are the primary cause of this vision loss.

Macular Degeneration

This eye disease affects the central vision. There are two types of macular degeneration:

1. “dry” macular degeneration, which progresses slowly.
2. “wet” macular degeneration, which progresses very rapidly, resulting in severe loss of vision very quickly.

With either form of the disease, the part of the retina called the macula degenerates. The first symptom may be the need to have more light when reading or doing close work. Though it is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their sixties, it can be diagnosed earlier.

There is a self-test you can do to find out if there is a chance you have macular degeneration called the Amsler Grid. It can found at preventblindness.org along with instructions. Don’t rely just on a self-test, though. Your eye doctor needs to confirm a diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment.

Treatment varies, depending on the form of macular degeneration. Laser treatments can help some who have the ‘wet’ form of the disease.

It won’t restore lost vision but, by sealing the blood vessels that are leaking, it will slow down the disease since new abnormal blood vessel growth will be discouraged.

There is currently no treatment for ‘dry’ macular degeneration but certain vitamins seem to help people who have intermediate macular degeneration. The vitamins that can be taken are:

• 400 IU Vitamin E

• 500 mg Vitamin C

• 80 mg Zinc

• 15 mg Beta Carotene or 20 mg Lutein

• 2 mg Copper

Many stores now carry supplements made specific for eye health that contain these vitamins.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, often referred to as ‘tunnel vision’, causes the optic nerve to become damaged by rising fluid pressure in the eye.

There are frequently no early symptoms but can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam. When symptoms do appear, it is the peripheral vision that is affected, giving the feeling of looking through a tunnel.

Though it is usually considered an age-related disease, other groups of people are at risk for glaucoma. These include Mexican Americans over 60, those with a family history of glaucoma and African Americans over 40. People in these groups should be tested every couple of years or more often.

There are two possible treatments for glaucoma. The first is prescription eye drops and the second is Glaucoma Filtration Surgery.  An ophthalmologist can determine which treatment is appropriate for a patient.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common of the age-related eye diseases. It is estimated that half of all Americans who are 80 years old either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.

With cataracts, the lenses of the eyes become cloudy. Symptoms that commonly occur with cataracts are seemingly faded colors, double vision, the need to change eyeglass prescriptions often, glare, loss of night vision, and generally blurry vision.

Cataracts develop quite slowly most of the time.

Some non-surgical methods of coping with cataracts are brighter lights, sunglasses with anti-glare coating , magnifying lenses and, of course, new prescription eyeglasses.

Surgery is an option that many people choose. Here, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

If you suspect you may have one of these three eye diseases, visit your doctor to discuss you concerns. New methods of treatment are being studied for them and your doctor will know of any that might be tried if you are a candidate for them.

Hot weather, stronger sun, sun bathing, swimming pools, air conditioning and dry atmospheres are all factors that can adversely affect eye safety and cause vision problems.

The summer is a time when we really do want to look our best as we look forward to a holiday in the sun or weekends away. It is at times like this that we are more likely to meet new faces and make new friends so watery, bloodshot eyes must be avoided if possible.

UV Radiation from the sun can trigger the onset of cataracts.

It is a common misconception that cataracts are solely age related. This is not so. Cataracts can occur at any age.

Sunlight reflected from the surface of water or other reflective medium can cause conjunctivitis and keratitis.

The principle symptoms of conjunctivitis, sometimes known as pinkeye, are an intense itchiness and gritty feeling in the eye with accompanying redness, watery discharge and runny nose.

Keratitis is a term used to define a wide variety of painful corneal infections, irritations and inflammations and it is important to obtain medical diagnosis and treatment at the earliest opportunity as delay can lead to corneal scarring which has vision implications. Other causes of conjunctivitis and keratitis are lack of hygiene. In hot summer weather bugs of all sorts multiply faster so keep clean and in particular wash hands frequently.

Take these simple precautions seriously during the summer and you will limit the possibility of suffering from unsightly eyes and help to prevent the onset of sun related vision problems.

• Avoid looking towards the sun, the solar rays can cause complete and, at any age, permanent loss of sight.

• Wear sunglasses with good quality lenses. The lenses are the most important so do not be tempted to buy sunglasses just because the design is fashionable and suits you – check out the lenses. The better lens colors are brown grey or green and preferably avoid very dark and very light colored lenses. Bright sun causes you to screw up your eyes but wearing a pair of good quality sunglasses with help prevent squinting and the early onset of wrinkles.

• Air Conditioning

Avoid continuous exposure to vents, as this will cause the surface of the eye to dry out. To keep the eyes clear, sparkling and healthy it is essential that the surface stays naturally irrigated at all times. If your eyes begin to feel dry blink rapidly a few times and this should help regulate the natural moisturizing effect. Blinking is good

• Chlorinated swimming pools.

It is best to always use goggles when swimming in a pool, as chlorine is an irritant that affects the eyes and too much exposure can be a cause of conjunctivitis or keratitis. Even if you don’t immerse your head under the water, chlorine fumes are above the surface and will cause eye redness after a time and we do want to look our best don’t we?

• Dust particles and pollen are a hazard of the summer months and can provoke or accentuate allergies that, sadly, in virtually every case have an effect on the eyes. Try close fitting wrap around sunglasses to keep as much of the dust and pollen out and don’t forget to check the lenses for quality. Controlling the allergy with medication and keeping the dust out can allow your eyes to retain their natural beauty and prevent ugly redness and watering.

Summer is to enjoy and to get that feel good factor. The best parties and opportunities to meet new people seem to occur in summer. When the sun is out we feel and look healthier. Summer is a time for optimism. We spend more time out doors, the days are longer, and the flowers are at their best.

This is the time of the year when we are recharging our batteries and our bodies are preparing for the colder and sunless months ahead. Don’t let red sore eyes diminish any of the pleasures you can get from summer, be wise and take care of your most precious asset and stay looking good.

Most people  suffer from over the eye headaches, if only occasionally, mainly because of our hectic lifestyle and associated stresses. Headaches can make you screw up your eyes in discomfort and can cause frown lines and wrinkles.

It’s all too easy to reach for the pills but why put what is effectively poison into your body if you can help it.

If your headaches are frequent, the wisest move is to consult your doctor but if they are only spasmodic then are some very useful yoga exercises that could help to drive the stress away.

As soon as you start to feel a headache coming on and your eyes begin to ache, and obviously if it is convenient, you should begin the following yoga exercises.

Any delay will make the headache more difficult to alleviate.

Yoga Position No 1- Balasana (Childs Pose)

• Kneel down and with your feet touching each other, sit back onto your heels.

• Spread your knees apart as wide as your hips.

• Breathe in and then breathe out and while you do so lean forward so that your body is as close as possible to your thighs.

• Stretch out your arms with your palms upwards.

• Relax your shoulders to the floor. You should be able to feel a stretch between your shoulder blades.

• Stay like this for 30 seconds to a few minutes.

• Slowly and gently lengthen your body and breathe in and come up.

Yoga Position No 2- Downward Facing Dog

• Kneel with your hands on the floor just in front of your shoulders, palms spread and facing forward, knees below the hips and the toes under and forward, feet slightly apart.

• As you breath in begin lifting your knees and heels up.

• As you do so round the tailbone away from the pelvis and by pushing forward with the hands raise your bottom towards the ceiling and tuck the top of your thighs into your groin area.

• Exhale slowly and as you do so straighten your legs until the knees are only slightly bent at the same time bringing the heels back into contact with the floor.

• Tense the muscles of the thighs and press lightly inwards.

• Gradually straighten the arms using the fingers for leverage, and then close the shoulder blades against each other, slight pause before widening them and push them down towards your bottom. The back will then become straight or slightly concave.

• Keep the head between the arms but under control, do not let it hang.

• Inhale and hold for 1-2 minutes then bend the knees slowly to the floor back to the start position exhaling as you do so.

Yoga Position No 3-Standing Forward Bend

• Stand in a relaxed position with your hands on your hips.

• Breath in and out, as you exhale bend forward slowly from the hips. Feel yourself lifting upwards out of your body and lengthening.

• With knees, straight if possible, bring your hands to the floor slightly in front of you or beside your feet or to the backs of your ankles.

• Breathe in and lift and lengthen your body slightly, breathe out and release a little more into the pose

• Relax your head completely and stay in the pose for 30 seconds to one minute.

• To come up, place your hands on your hips, breathe in and straighten your spine slowly.

Yoga Position No 4- The Bridge Pose

• Lie flat on the floor, preferably on a yoga mat. If, required, support your neck with a folded towel or similar.

• Bend your knees, bringing your feet as close to your bottom as possible.

• Breathe out and press your inner feet and arms into the floor.

• Push your tailbone upwards and into the pubis, Firm your buttocks and lift them off the floor. Balance by putting your hands onto your pelvic area.

• Keep lifting until your thighs are level with the floor.

• Keep your knees directly over your heels, but push them forward away from your hips.

• Bring the pubic area towards your navel.

• Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to one minute, breathe out and release, rolling the spine slowly down onto the floor.

Any or all of these poses should help to bring you headache relief and keep those furrows away from between your eyes.