5 Eye Care Mistakes You're Making

The eyes are your best tool for navigating through your day. They also play a significant role in your health. However, many people seldom pay attention to how they care for their eyes. The most attention they will give them is when they wash their faces.

People take their good eyesight for granted. Your eyes are your navigation system from the moment you wake up till you sleep. Hence, it is vital to make sure they stay healthy. Sometimes, the eyes may also indicate other issues in the body before they get out of hand. If you go for regular eye checkups, it will be easy to catch these conditions early.

Here are five eye mistakes you are making and should avoid.

Missing Annual Eye Exams

You should see the eye doctor at least once every year. You may think your eyes are healthy since you have no visual problems, but only eye exams can give surety. They also help spot eye conditions that can affect your vision. A comprehensive eye exam will check for serious issues, like glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Comprehensive eye exams are ideal for people over the age of 50. They reduce the risk of vision loss from age-related eye conditions. They also help in the early detection of eye conditions that may result from diabetes or other health conditions.

Not Wearing Sunglasses

It is easy to remember your sunglasses in the summer. However, you require them all year round, even in winter. Sunglasses do more than protect you from the glare of the sun; they also protect your eyes from UV rays.

In winter, the sun reflects off the snow. It can damage the eye by causing corneal burns, spots on the whites of the eyes, cataracts, or macular degeneration. Wearing good-quality sunglasses is crucial. Look for sunglasses that block out at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays.

Spending Too Much Time on Screens

When you spend too much time on your computer, tablet, or phone, you are straining your eye muscles. It can also cause headaches and migraines. To keep this from happening, use the 20-20-20 rule. Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Make sure you also blink at intervals when using these screens. If you can, use anti-glare protection on your computer screen. It will help prevent eye fatigue.

Touching and Rubbing Eyes

Rubbing your eyes can indicate many things. It could mean you have an eye infection or allergies. Sometimes, it is a reflex action or a habit. However, you should avoid rubbing your eyes since you can damage them in the process. You can also worsen whatever is irritating them.

Your hands are also constantly touching other things and surfaces. Consequently, you can transfer germs to your eyes. Make sure your hands are clean if you need to touch or rub your eyes.

Sleeping in Makeup

Leftover pieces of makeup can fall into your eyes and clog the glands around the eyes. The makeup can also cause infection and irritation. It may result in pimples or styes, which may be painful.

Give thought to how you take care of your eyes. Pay attention to the five mistakes above. They will help you preserve your vision longer.

For more information on eye care, visit Ridgeview Eye Care at our office in Olathe or De Soto, Kansas. You can call (913) 270-8598 or (913) 270-6017 today to schedule an appointment.