The EYES have IT

[ISummit7]

The WAY I SEE IT...

Much of what we know and love in the world around us comes to us through our sight, yet many of us ignore our eyes and their role in our riding style What a short-sighted attitude this is, especially when you consider that many critical eye functions are present every single second that we ride, and we remain lost without our vision.

Without the basic care principles in place your eyes and their function with all other cognitive skills cannot exist. Take the time to clean your eye-wear, hydrate, eat well, get your vision tested (don't forget to wipe windshields and visors on your helmet too!). When your "visual input system" is in place your balance system can function with improved skill, and your riding time gets longer, your reaction time improves, and you'll feel better.


Here's my Visual Input System Program:


1) SAFE GUARD YOUR EYES - wear proper vision wear (goggles, or helmet eye vision protection) at all times to protect and guard against weather, sun, environment, objects
1A) SAFEGUARD your eyes against UV rays from the sun - wear appropriate tinted UV protection lenses - to avoid damage to the retina - avoid long term riding into sunlight (ride in opposite direction or wait an until
the sun is not directly glaring at you)
2) GET YOUR VISION TESTED - do this at least every 2 years, or every year after the age of 50 - wear appropriate vision wear (corrective glasses, or lenses) at ALL times when riding
3) WARM UP your eye muscles before you ride: Before you RIDE: throw a tennis ball against a wall 30 or 40 times - start with slow tosses- and progress to faster movements - move further from from the wall to work the distance muscles and move closer to the wall to challenge your "quick reactive" muscles. The eye muscles require a longer warm up - MORE SO - than your skeletal muscles. It only take 2-3 minutes to warm up the muscles of the eyes.
4) Give your EYES A BREAK. Every hour or so, take a moment and close the eyes for a few minutes and then slowly open them again.
Take a water break to "hydrate" the eyes to keep up the moisture and fluids that lubricate your eyes.
5) Take Fish OIls (Omega 3's) fat's play a large role in brain cognitive function - keeping you "ALERT" longer, also fats from Omega 3 fish oils are the main "lubricants" to keep the eyes moisture levels at optimal
6) GET plenty of LUTEIN, - this is a carotenoid found in "orange" colored vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potato's, or take it in supplement form daily to keep the eyes muscles youthful
7) EAT dark-colored berries such as blueberry, or blackberries which are rich in bioflavonoids (a Vitamin C component) which strengthen the eye capillaries
8) EAT a diet clean or devoid of BAD FATS (like transfatty acids, deep fried foods, saturated fats from cattle raised on grains - not grass)
9) SLEEP - your eyes require rest - the more you use your eyes - the more rest or sleep they require GET AT LEAST 8 hours nightly
10) AVOID continual activity that causes eye strain - long term computer use (2 hours or more) -looking at close objects, working in a poorly lit room, riding your motorcycle at night, being tired and working
"through it" - these are all damaging activities and do not promote good healthy eyes.



I'm aiming to ride well into my 80 and 90's (my father rode until age 91) - so my fifty year eye health plan is to maintain a structured eye program now. The way I see it, I should surpass my dad riding until age 91, and go for 100 or beyond.

[klrroo]

There is some good advice there, thank you sir!

[cactusreid]

wow! i'm often amazed at the depth of knowledge we have on this board. once again it holds true. Me, i hang in the other end of the pool. but hey the tests are not as tough as the deep end.