6 Tips for Looking After Your Eyes
6 Tips for Looking After Your Eyes
Our eyes are incredibly sensitive. Not only are they vulnerable to sunlight, but they are also easily exposed to pathogens, irritants, and bacteria. It is, therefore, no secret that our eyes deserve the best care and attention we can give them. This applies to our daily habits, how we use them, and what we expose them to. Below are some important tips for looking after your eyes.
Avoid Rubbing
Rubbing your eyes can be a habit, especially if they are dry or itchy. However, it’s important to bear in mind that your eyes are covered in sensitive membranes. Therefore, rubbing can cause irritation if any dust or particles get inside.
Another danger is that eye rubbing can lead to thinning of the cornea, the eye’s outermost lens. Damaging this area can cause other eye conditions such as astigmatism or keratoconus, so next time, think twice before you rub your eyes!
Wear Protective Eyewear
One of the most overlooked ways we don’t look after our eyes is by wearing protective eyewear. While sunglasses are an obvious one, you should also make sure you wear goggles when you swim or protective glasses when you’re doing DIY work around the house. Protective eyewear can shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and keep out irritants, pollutants, and tiny objects. So, make sure you protect your eyes whenever you are in an environment that may expose them to water or debris.
Never Wear Expired Make-Up
While it can be tempting to get the most out of your mascara bottle, wearing expired make-up can be dangerous. Over time, bacteria accumulate inside your eye make-up, creating a risk of infections. Most experts recommend changing your makeup every three months, even if there is a still some leftover. The last thing you want is to have to visit the eye doctor because you’ve been wearing make-up that’s far exceeded its expiry date!
Be Vigilant with Contact Lens Care
You’re probably aware that you need to clean your contact lenses and change them regularly (if they’re monthlies). However, you may not know that sleeping and swimming with your lenses can also be dangerous. While doing this accidentally on the odd occasion shouldn’t cause any problems, wearing lenses overnight or in the pool can lead to eye infections. This is because contact lenses are porous and absorb water, which lets in other pathogens.
Get Regular Check-ups
Make sure you visit your eye doctor or optician for regular appointments. Not only can they monitor and assess the health of your eye, but they can also recommend treatments and therapies that improve your eyesight. Whether it’s new glasses, a set of advanced contact lenses, or VSON laser eye surgery, getting regular check-ups means that you can prevent eye diseases and extend the health of your eyesight for as long as possible.
Avoid Smoking
Did you know that smoking can cause macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts? Smoking isn’t healthy at the best of times, but it can also be particularly bad for your vision. If you’re a regular smoker, it might be sensible to re-evaluate for the sake of your eyesight.
