Break these 5 bad eye habits

What comes to your mind when you think of good health? A healthy heart? A sound brain?

Did good vision cross your mind? Probably not. It is not surprising that people tend to take their eyes for granted. However, this can cost them big time in the long run.

Being the most important and highly-developed sensory organs, our eyes help us make sense of the world around us. When you have good vision, you perform better in all aspects of life. Eye problems can bring about chronic headaches, blurry vision, fatigue, and eye discomfort — that are not desirable to live your best life.

When people feel that there is no issue with their vision quality, they neglect routine eye tests and caring for their optic health.

Did you know that a number of health conditions can be detected through an eye exam?

Regular vision testing can diagnose other medical concerns such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and liver diseases. So, if you want to detect your health problems before they become life-threatening, you better start showing up at the appointment with your optometrist!

While we can’t do much about the quality of vision we are born with, to make it better or worse is completely in our hands. It is true that our eyesight will deteriorate as we grow older. But, there are some things we should or should not do to procure better visual health for the future.

Here are some bad habits you need to break if you want your peepers to be at their absolute best:

1. Not wearing your shades

Our eyes are exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun which are capable of damaging the retina. Not only this, it can also increase the possibility of various eye problems such as cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

Sunglasses have an anti-UV coating that blocks these rays and shield your eyes from potential harm. So, whenever you step out in the sun, don’t forget to take your sunnies with you. Even if you wear prescription glasses, pick the ones that have anti-uv technology or you can go for a pair of good-quality transition lenses to help your vision and also protect you from UV light.

2. Rubbing your eyes

We all have had this habit since our childhood. Although it brings some seconds of relief to your eyes, it is harmful for your vision. Our hands pick up germs and bacteria from the surfaces and when you rub your eyes with them, the dirt and bacteria get transferred to your peepers causing ‘pink eye’.

Rubbing your eyes can make the cornea to become thin and weak which can even cause permanent corneal damage. If you feel something in your eye, do not rub it away as it will shift the dirt in deeper. Rather, blink your eyes rapidly so that it gets washed away with tears.

So now that you know why rubbing away the dirt is bad,you better keep your hands away from your eyes.

3. Using expired makeup

Makeup is meant for enhancing your beauty. But, expired makeup can bring about skin and eye problems. No matter how much it hurts you to throw away your favourite eyeliner when it is not empty, it is of no use if it has lived its shelf life.

Using expired products can irritate your eyes and might trigger infections as well. If you want to play on the safe side, throw away your eye makeup after three to four months of use. A general rule for determining the state of your product is that if it starts to form clumps, you better throw it away. Adding water to your dried mascara or eyeliner will give bacteria a more comfortable setup to live in.

4. More screen time

Our digital devices throw high-intensity blue light that hampers your eye health. When we stare at the digital screens for too long, our blink rate decreases which allows more blue light to pass through our cornea. Blinking causes lubrication to the eyes and when there is less blinking, your peepers may feel dry and tired leading to blurry vision and eye discomfort. There is also growing concern that too much screen time is causing nearsightedness and irreparable damage to the retina.

If you are in front of your computer for the most part of your day, follow the 20–20–20 rule. After every 20 minutes of screen time, shift your focus away at an object placed at least 20 feet away and look at it for a minimum of 20 seconds. This activity will readjust your eyes and relax your optic muscles. Also, wear blue light blocking glasses when you have to use your computer oor smartphones. These glasses can be used even without a prescription from your optician.

5. Skipping eye tests

Eye problems are easy to detect and yet we wait for something big to occur before we place an appointment with our optician. Many people don’t seek medical attention unless their problem gets worse which puts them under the risk of vision loss.

Even if you feel that your vision is perfectly normal, don’t be careless. You might be straining or squinting your eyes without even feeling it. Regular eye examination is necessary for preserving your vision in the long run.

Want another inspiration to book your next appointment with an optician?

Some companies provide free eye test facilities to help you diagnose vision problems before it is too late. So if you haven’t had an eye exam in a while, reach out to your optician and book a meeting. Also, do not forget to look after your eyes in between the exams.

The final word

So now you probably have an idea how your day-to-day habits have an adverse effect on your optic health. Your eyes have muscles like the other parts of your body. Your lifestyle habits do impact your eye health. Getting routine eye checkup is a major part of ensuring optimal eye health.