Want Your Eyes To Stay Healthy?

[LoShiNi]

People with 20/20 vision tend to take it for granted. But not many of us know how bad some common habits are for our eyesight. Here’s a list of 9 habits you should avoid if you want to keep your eyes healthy:


~ Don’t sleep in your contacts ~
An American Academy of Ophthalmology study says that those who wear their contacts all the time have a 10 to 15 times higher risk of developing corneal ulcer than those who wear contacts only during the day. Short nap without taking off your contacts is fine, but still it’s better to nap without them. If you wake up and realize you forgot to remove your contacts, don’t take them off right away – it can damage your cornea. After 20–30 minutes pass, moisturize them with artificial tears, only then you can remove your contact lenses. After you’ve done it, wear glasses for the rest of the day.



~ Don’t touch and/or rub your eyes ~
Deeba Chaudri, OD, a New York City-based optometrist with LensCrafters, says: “Sometimes your eyes itch and you have to rub, but it’s best to keep the lid closed and only touch the outside of the eye.” But it’s better to just let it pass. Don’t touch your eyes’ mucous membranes to avoid getting germs on them.


~ Get eye exams every year ~
Chaudri says: “A lot of first-time patients tell me: ‘I haven’t had an eye exam in 12 years because my vision was 20/20 the last time I was checked.’” A vision problem isn’t the only reason to get your eyes checked. Chaudri says: “It’s about getting your overall eye health checked out: There are no pain receptors behind the eye, so if you have a broken blood vessel or a tumor back there, you would otherwise not know it until it starts to interfere with your vision, or worse.”


~ Don’t use electronic devices for too long without a break ~

Smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices radiate blue light, which is considered as harmful as the sun’s UV radiation (if not more). It’s recommended to look away for 20 seconds after each 20 minutes of staring at a screen. Stare into the distance, focus your eyes on something other than screen, and make sure to blink.


~ Don’t apply eyeliner to your waterline ~

Chaudri says: “When you put liner inside your eye, you’re mixing it with your tears.” If you are wearing contacts, tiny eyeliner pieces can get onto the surface of your contact lenses and deprive your eyes of oxygen. Chaudri says liquid liners are especially dangerous because of bacteria on the applicator tip. Soft pencils are considered safer option, but they still should be applied only outside the eye.


~ Don’t sleep in your make-up ~

Going to sleep without removing make-up is bad not only for your skin, but for your eyes, too. Make-up particles can clog your glands and cause painful styes. On top of that, Chaudri said this about false eyelashes: “If you’re sleeping in them and rubbing them, that glue can get into your cornea and lead to major inflammation.”


~ Don’t use expired solution, lenses, or drops ~
Chaudri says this about contact lens solutions: “These solutions have cleansers that kill bacteria on your lenses, so you want to make sure all of those ingredients are still doing their job.” The same applies to lenses themselves, and to artificial tears and eye drops too. And don’t store your contacts in anything other than the special solution intended for this purpose.



~ Don’t overuse redness-reducing drops ~
Redness-reducing drops are only a temporary solution to your problem. Chaudri says: “They contain preservatives and other chemicals that can make your problem even worse in the long run, and it’s only a matter of time before you experience a rebound effect.” If your eyes are always red and/or irritated, you should consult a doctor.


~ Wear your sunglasses in the sun ~
Chaudri says: “A lot of people think sunglasses are only for the summer, or that they’re only for fashion purposes. But wearing them in the winter can be even more important because the sun reflects off the snow.” If you don’t protect your eyes from the sun, it can lead to serious problems, such as corneal burns, skin cancer on the eyelids, and spots on the whites of the eyes.