Bad Habits that Could Harm Your Eyes

There are bad habits that can inadvertently harm your eyes. The eye doctors at Laser Eye Center^™ have compiled a list of these habits, which include:

1.     Not Wearing Sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential to protecting your eyes against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Excessive sun exposure may lead to a host of unpleasant conditions, including sunburn on the surface of the eye, cataracts, pterygium (growths on the eye), macular degeneration and more. What’s more — sun exposure may also cause premature signs of aging to crop up around your eyes.

Solution: Select a pair of wraparound sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays and HEV (high-energy visible) rays. Wear them consistently when outdoors.

2.     Using Outdated Eye Makeup

Old makeup is a breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria, and the FDA warns that eye makeup has a shorter shelf life than other cosmetic products. Old eye makeup products can cause blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid, bacterial conjunctivitis or styes.

Solution: Experts suggest tossing eye makeup products — including liner, shadow, mascara and any creams that you put around your eye — every three months to avoid an infection.

3.     Avoiding Eye Exams

Eye exams are a prime opportunity to detect problems in their earliest stages. Because certain eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma) may progress without any signs or symptoms, a doctor needs to examine your eyes regularly.

Solution: Schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor so he can test your eyesight; look at the structures of your eye and adjust your prescriptions if necessary.

4.     Swimming without Goggles

Chlorine and other pool chemicals can irritate your eyes, cause cloudy vision and even temporary blindness (in extreme cases).

Solution: Wear a pair of tight-fitting goggles, or keep your eyes closed while swimming.

5.     Smoking

This is probably a no-brainer — smoking is extremely harmful to every organ in your body. Smoking puts you at higher risk of developing cataracts, dry eyes, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and more. Research suggests that smokers are up to four times more likely to go blind than non-smokers.

Solution: If you smoke, talk to your primary care physician about a smoking cessation program or aid. Also, avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.

If you have any questions about these habits, or want to learn more about how to keep your vision in spectacular health, please contact Laser Eye Center^™ by calling 800-80-LASER or sending us an email.