Are you taking good care of your eyes? You might think so, but you could be making some common mistakes that are harming your vision. Here are 7 eye care mistakes you might be making:
1. Not Wearing Sunglasses
You might think that sunglasses are only for sunny days, but they actually help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays all year round. Not wearing sunglasses can lead to eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration, or a condition when tissue grows over the white part of your eye, called pterygium.
2. Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes might seem like a harmless way to relieve fatigue, but it can actually irritate your eyes and damage blood vessels.
3. Staring At a Screen For Too Long
We live in a digital world, and that means we spend a lot of time staring at screens. This can be hard on your eyes and lead to vision problems. To protect your eyes, take breaks often and try to limit your screen time.
4. Skipping Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a great way to correct your vision, but you need to take care of them properly. Be sure to check the expiration date on your lenses and replace them as needed, take them out before you go to bed, clean them with the solution your doctor recommends, and store them in a proper case.
5. Not Wearing Safety Glasses
If you work with tools or chemicals, you should always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Even simple tasks like mowing the lawn or playing sports can put your eyes at risk, so it’s important to always wear the proper eye protection. Depending on the activity you might need:
- Eye guards
- A safety shield
- Safety glasses or goggles
6. Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health, and your eyes are no exception. Smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and can damage your optic nerve.
7. Sleeping With Make-up On
Many of us are guilty of it – collapsing into bed after a long night out without bothering to remove our make-up first. However, this seemingly harmless act can actually be very damaging to our eyes. Our eyes are very delicate and sensitive, and when we sleep with make-up on, all of the chemicals and pollutants in the products can seep into our eyes and cause irritation. Over time, this can lead to problems such as dry eye and pink eye.
8. Not Getting Eye Injuries Checked Out
If you’ve suffered an eye injury, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Even if the injury doesn’t seem serious, there could be underlying damage that could cause problems down the road.
9. Staring At The Sun
Never look directly at the sun, even if you’re wearing sunglasses. This can cause permanent damage to your eyes. If you want to view a solar eclipse, be sure to use special eclipse glasses.
10. Not Seeing an Eye Doctor Regularly
Even if your vision seems fine, it’s important to see an eye doctor for regular checkups. Your eye doctor can detect problems early and help you keep your vision healthy.
If you’re guilty of any of these eye care mistakes, don’t worry – it’s never too late to make a change. Taking steps to improve your eye care habits can help you protect your vision and enjoy a lifetime of good eye health.