Our eyes are vitally important because they allow us to view the world around us and learn from what we see. Keep them healthy by AVOIDING these harmful habits.
Your eyes are a very important part of your health. Precise vision plays a crucial part in helping you carry out day-to-day activities, including:
- Driving
- Reading/Writing
- Watching TV
- Using the computer
5 Harmful Eye Habits To Avoid
Your eyes are a sensitive body part that is indispensable to your daily function. However, without knowing it, you may be making little decisions every day that could be compromising one of your most valuable senses.
Here are some harmful habits to avoid to keep your vision healthy:
1. Skipping Your Yearly Eye Exam
Your eyes are connected to many other systems in your body, which makes routine eye exams an important part of preventative healthcare - regardless of your age or physical health.
Apart from simply determining the prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses, yearly checkups give your eye doctor the chance to detect signs of serious health conditions.
Eye Exams Can Screen For:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- cancer
- brain tumours
2. Wearing Your Contact Lenses For Too Long
Contact lenses are very safe for daily use and have many benefits over wearing traditional eyeglasses. However, wearing them for too long can have negative effects on your vision.
Symptoms Of Wearing Contacts For Too Long:
- eye pain
- blurred vision
- photophobia (light sensitivity)
- red eye
- excessive tearing
- overgrowth of surrounding blood vessels
- higher risk of developing an eye ulcer
- irritated eyes
Contact Lens Care
It is vital that you properly use and care for your contacts by handling them with good hygiene, disinfecting them as recommended and wearing them according to the period prescribed by your optometrist.
3. Soaking Up The Sun
Applying sunscreen before heading outside is only part of the equation when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun. If you’re skipping out on the sunglasses, your vision could suffer!
It is possible to get a sunburn on your eye and it can lead to serious symptoms such as:
- pain
- blurred vision
- temporary blindness
In fact, it has been found that people who are exposed to high amounts of ultraviolet rays over their lives are more prone to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
4. Smoking
While everyone knows that smoking has an ill-effect on the lungs and heart, few realize how closely it is associated with eye problems. In fact, tobacco use is strongly linked to eye conditions which can cause vision loss, including:
- macular degeneration
- cataracts
- blood vessel damage
- uveitis
5. Staring At Your Computer For Too Long
Many of us spend hours in front of the computer screen every day, and that can take a toll on your vision and cause symptoms such as:
- headaches
- blurred vision
- eye fatigue
Blue Light Lenses
If you spend a significant amount of time on your computer/smartphone, you may want to talk to your optometrist about a blue light lens coating. These will:
- reduce eye strain
- improve visual comfort
- lower eye fatigue and headaches
- protect your body’s internal rhythm, supporting healthy sleep and eyes
Want to know if blue light lenses are right for you?
Call Today
From helping you select the right pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses, to glaucoma testing and dry eye care, our Calgary optometrists provide comprehensive vision services to ensure the eye health of your entire family. To book an eye exam or contact lens fitting, get in touch with our NE Calgary Eye Clinic at 403-280-7518 or book an eye exam today.
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