When health comes to mind, people tend to see the big picture. The care of body and mind immediately comes to thought. However, by doing this, people tend to be blind to the smaller aspects that contribute to the big picture. This results into neglect that can lead to unwanted effects.

The month of October is recognized by the Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston as Eye Injury Prevention Month. More than one million injuries occur to individuals in the United States each year, and a whopping 90 percent of these injuries could have been avoided if the individuals were aware of the precautions to take.

“I never thought my eyes were that important,” said freshman nursing major Bianca Flores. “It is something that is often neglected.”

Neglect is often the case when it comes to proper eye care.

“Eye vision isn’t a main priority when health comes to mind,” said junior nursing major JJ Gentile. “It is generally the physique and diet.”

The factors that result in poor vision also tend to fly under the radar. Stress in general has an effect on eyesight.

“People don’t really acknowledge stress, it is just something people live with,” Flores said.

The body produces adrenaline to fight off stress; however, too much adrenaline can lead to exhaustion. This may cause mood swings, a poor immune system, or possibly even sleeping problems. Excessive adrenaline also may lead to glaucoma, an eye condition that can lead to damage to the optic nerve.

“It’s impossible for a person to not stress; it can’t be avoided in life,” Flores said.

Of course, stress is no stranger to anyone, especially when dealing with college students. The best way to counteract stress is through relaxation and rest. Although this may not make the problems disappear, it will serve as a way to give the eyes a break, alleviate stress, and help engage the parasympathetic system of the automatic nervous system, which is responsible for eyesight.

Another key factor that may be a bit more familiar is sunglasses.

“I wear sunglasses mostly when I’m driving, by the water, and especially during summer,” said junior accounting major Kenny Hoolahan.

Sunglasses provide the eyes with protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause major eye problems and can also damage the delicate skin around the eyes, causing wrinkles.

“More people wear sunglasses for looks instead of as an aid,” Hoolahan said. “Of course, that’s not a bad thing, though.”

Wearing sunglasses frequently results in enhanced vision; however, good sunglasses protect eyes from 100 percent of UV rays. The color of the shades can also play a key role in better vision. The choice of tint can influence how much visible light reaches the eyes, and how well colors and contrasts are seen. It is best to choose colors with a grey, brown, or green tint.

“Color of shades isn’t something that comes to mind when it comes to eye health,” said Hoolahan. “People usually buy the shades as a fashion statement.”

Aside from color and UV rays, the glare of the sun can cause headaches and distort vision, not to mention excessive exposure to direct sunlight leads to permanent eye damage. In very bright conditions, the pupil constricts and causes a person to squint which attributes to eyestrain and muscle fatigue.

Diet also plays a vital role in the well being of eyesight. The consumption of excessive alcohol, saturated and trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and smoking weakens eyesight and can lead to eye-related problems.

“I didn’t think the consumption of fat, alcohol, or smoking had an impact on eyesight,” freshman accounting and marketing major Imerlyn Ventura said. “Many people do those things and don’t even think about what it does to their eyes.”

Foods like carrots, egg yolks, cheese, milk, fruits, and vegetables contribute to healthy eye vision. Many of these contain Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for good vision.

“With college foods, people may not take into consideration the affect it may have on the student, especially their health,” Ventura said.

Eating a balanced diet, exercise, and wearing the proper eyewear can aid individuals in caring for their eyes properly.

“People should take care of themselves,” said Gentile. “It will help promote overall health and good feelings.”

Taking the right steps to better eye care not only helps the body, but the mind, as well. Eyesight should be the least of college students’ problems and ought to be cared for properly.

“Vision is a major factor in a person’s college career,” said Gentile. “When it comes to eye care, college students are blind.”