Six Bad Habits That Harm Your Eyes
1. Not Wearing Eye Protection
When out and about, whether walking or driving, one of the most common bad habits is not putting on a pair of sunglasses. Just like too much UV light is bad for your skin, it can wreak havoc over time on your eyes.
Extended periods in excessively bright sunlight (such as in snowy conditions or around large bodies of water) can even cause sunburn. Over time this UV damage increases your risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration.
And if you participate in certain sports, you put yourself at risk of harmful eye injuries. Most eye injuries across all ages come from accidents that occur during sports or other physical activities. From typical safety glasses and goggles for hobbies to stylish sports glasses, statistics show that 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided by wearing eye protection.
2. Rubbing Your Eyes
Our eyes and the tissues around them are very delicate. Excessive and frequent rubbing of the eyes runs the risk of causing ruptures in tiny blood vessels in those areas. Not only does this often result in a darkened, puffy appearance around the eyes, but it can also lead to thinning of the cornea and blurred vision.
If you suffer from itchy eyes, it is always better to treat the reason why you rub, such as dry eye or allergies. And as a bonus tip, if you do find that you habitually rub your eyes even with treatments, ensure that you are more frequently washing your hands, as rubbing can also often introduce foreign particles or bacteria that cause infections.
3. Poor Diet and Hydration
It is an old adage, 'We are what we eat,' but there is a truth to it. If you aren't eating healthily, you won't be healthy. Make sure your diet is rich in the appropriate nutrients for a healthy body, mind, and eyes. We recommend the following types of foods if you are particularly concerned with eye health:
- Leafy greens
- Citrus fruits
- Nuts and whole grains
- Fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids
Similarly, make sure to stay hydrated with ample water and keep your sodium intake at an appropriate level. Not doing so can quickly lead to a state of dehydration. Dry eyes can't appropriately produce tears to stay clean and can dry out and begin to itch.
4. Too Much Screen Time
Screens are nearly inescapable for many of us in the modern age. Whether for work or play, they are a key way we work, communicate, and unwind at the end of the day. But all that screen time can cause stress to the eyes, blurred vision, and headaches.
There are some good habits you can implement when it comes to looking at screens. Consider implementing weekend days where you use screens as little as possible to give your eyes a complete break. But when at work, break up the time into smaller sections and take breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is good to go by. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to focus on an object at least 20 feet away.
5. Smoking
This one shouldn't be a surprise to anyone at this point. Smoking has been well-documented to cause harm to nearly every part of the body.
When it comes to the eyes, smoking puts individuals at a significantly increased risk of developing macular degeneration, dry eyes, and cataracts. No matter when you quit, smoking cessation has an immediate positive effect on eye health.
6. Not Having an Eye Exam
Skipping out on regular eye exams is a bad habit that can have a significant impact on your long-term eye health. Many eye diseases have a gradual onset of symptoms, and not having routine checks means you are less likely to catch conditions when the effects are treatable, putting you at increased risk of vision impairment or loss.
Asheville Vision and Wellness
If you are overdue for a comprehensive eye exam or think you might be developing eyesight issues, reach out to us at Asheville Vision and Wellness or set up an appointment online to see one of our skilled staff members. We have been caring for patients in western North Carolina since 1989 using the latest technology and care.
The winter months can especially take a toll on your eyes without proper care, so come in for a checkup and check off any resolutions to take better care of your health this year.
We offer a wide array of services, from comprehensive eye exams to contact lenses and medical eye evaluations. Our dedicated staff of optometrists are certified to diagnose, treat, and manage ocular disease.
Whether you haven’t been to the optometrist for a yearly eye exam or just need to grab a new pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses, contact us today. Our eye doctors are trained to provide our patients with a wide variety of eye care, including comprehensive eye examinations, contact lenses, and medical eye evaluations.