Your eyesight is one of your most precious assets, but did you know that some of your everyday habits might be harming it? Protecting your eyes from unnecessary damage is essential, and avoiding these common habits will help preserve your vision for years to come.
Here are six habits that can harm your eyesight, and tips on how to keep your vision healthy:
1. Not Wearing Sunglasses
You probably already wear sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but are you protecting your eyes in the same way? Just like your skin, your eyes are vulnerable to UV radiation, which can cause long-term damage such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and even skin cancer around the eyelids.
Always wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection, even in winter when UV rays can still be harmful, especially when reflected off surfaces like snow and ice.
2. Smoking
Smoking isn’t just harmful to your lungs—it’s also a major risk factor for several serious eye conditions. Studies show that smokers are four times more likely to develop macular degeneration (AMD) and experience an earlier onset compared to non-smokers. Smoking can also increase the risk of cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome.
Quitting smoking significantly reduces your risk of eye disease and other health problems, so consider speaking to your doctor if you need help kicking the habit.
3. Too Much Screen Time
In the digital age, most of us spend hours in front of screens every day. Whether it’s for work, entertainment, or socializing, digital eye strain (also called computer vision syndrome) has become a widespread issue. This strain can lead to symptoms such as blurry vision, headaches, neck pain, dry eyes, and fatigue.
To prevent this, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Reducing screen brightness and using blue light filtering glasses can also help reduce strain.
4. Rubbing Your Eyes
It’s a natural reflex to rub your eyes when they feel irritated or tired, but this habit can cause long-term damage. Frequent eye rubbing can lead to keratoconus, a condition where the cornea becomes thin and bulges out, distorting vision. It can also introduce dirt and bacteria into the eye, leading to infections.
If your eyes are itchy or irritated, try using lubricating eye drops to relieve discomfort instead of rubbing your eyes.
5. Sleeping with Contact Lenses On
Contact lenses are a convenient option for vision correction, but sleeping in them, especially when not designed for overnight use, can have serious consequences. Wearing your contacts overnight can increase the risk of eye infections eightfold and may lead to corneal damage or permanent vision loss.
Always remove your contact lenses before sleeping and follow your eye care professional’s advice on wearing schedules and proper cleaning practices.
6. Not Getting Regular Eye Exams
Many people only visit the eye doctor when they notice vision problems, but regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good eye health. Conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration often don’t show symptoms until they cause significant damage.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year to detect any potential issues early and protect your long-term eye health.
How to Protect Your Eyes and Maintain Healthy Vision
Your eye health is directly tied to your overall well-being. By incorporating healthy habits, such as wearing sunglasses, quitting smoking, limiting screen time, and attending regular eye exams, you can significantly reduce the risk of eye diseases and maintain good vision for life.
For more information about protecting your eyes and to schedule your next eye exam, contact Eyeson Group today.