Ophthalmologist names 7 things you should never do with your eyes
Photo: The ophthalmologist explained what you should never do (freepik.com)
Many people forget about eye health until a problem arises. Vision deterioration, infections, injuries, and other eye issues are quite common, especially with age, according to HuffPost.
Things you shouldn't do if you care about eye health
Never sleep in contact lenses
Sometimes people who wear contact lenses are very tired or go to bed under the influence of alcohol and forget to take them out before sleeping.
Sleeping in contact lenses allows microbes and bacteria from the contact lens to multiply overnight. This can lead to further complications, such as corneal ulcers, which can be dangerous for vision and may require corneal transplantation.
Don't work in front of a screen for long periods
When people look too closely at a phone, laptop, or book for extended periods, it can increase the risk of myopia in young people and cause eye strain at any age.
Myopia usually develops in childhood and then worsens until the late teenage years.
Follow the "20-20-20" rule to prevent and relieve digital eye strain. The method involves a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. Reducing eye strain can improve overall eye health as you age.
Don't forget to have your eyes checked
It is especially important not to miss regular appointments, including eye examinations, if you have a condition that jeopardizes your eye health. Those diagnosed with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing retinopathy.
Don't look at the sun
Earlier this year, we witnessed a solar eclipse when many people looked at the sun through regular or homemade sunglasses, which can be extremely harmful to the eyes.
Looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection, even for a short time, can permanently damage the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical signals for the brain.
Don't smoke
Smoking and vaping are among the worst things you can do for your overall health, especially for your eyes.
There are very severe diseases that destroy essential parts of the eye, such as the retina, that are much more common in smokers. Smoking is also associated with increased rates of cataract formation, which leads to clouding of the lens and often requires surgical removal.
Don't go to bed with makeup on
Poor eye lubrication hygiene is part of symptomatic problems that are often overlooked, especially by people who wear contact lenses or makeup. For the cornea to function effectively, it needs constant lubrication, and both the aging process and the use of contact lenses and makeup can reduce the body's natural ability to lubricate.
In addition to avoiding sleeping in lenses, remove makeup thoroughly before bed. Not removing makeup can lead to eye infections and negatively affect eye lubrication.
Eat a balanced diet
A diet high in sugar and fat is harmful to health, but it also has a disproportionately negative impact on the eyes. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, are responsible for the most common forms of irreversible blindness, and this is often linked to an unbalanced diet high in carbohydrates and fats.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
