Eye Health Dos and Don'ts
Most people take their eyes for granted and spend little to no time thinking about their eye health until they notice something wrong. This leads to plenty of common and treatable conditions going undiagnosed for extended periods of time and potentially escalating to something much more serious. We all do a lot of things that are bad for our eyes without even realizing it and don't do some things that we should because we don't know any better. There are so many myths about eye health that it can be hard to figure out the truth, such as the infamous, but ultimately inaccurate saying that sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes. However, there are some genuine dos and don'ts regarding eye health that everyone should follow.
Do schedule regular eye exams
A lot of diseases affecting the eyes have little to no symptoms so it's important to have an annual appointment with your ophthalmologist to check for any issues or follow up on any pre-existing conditions. Even if you have 20/20 vision and have never experienced any issues, don't skip the eye exam, especially as you get older, and if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, make sure to check your prescription as it can (and often does) change over time and age since an outdated prescription will only make matters worse. Common issues such as cataracts are also much more easily treated if diagnosed on time.
Don't ignore the problem
A large number of people suspect something may be wrong with their eyesight, but won't do anything about it out of fear, apathy or thinking it's not that big of a deal. However, not seeking treatment can lead to an even worse conditions and even irreparable damage to your eyes. For example, if you want to avoid wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses in your daily life for whatever reason, don't ignore the issue as you will likely end up with an even stronger prescription over time. Instead, you can use overnight contact lenses, which temporarily reshape your cornea while you sleep so you only need to wear them at night.
Do take steps to protect your eyes
There are a lot of ways you can protect your eyes from various potentially damaging sources. Wear sunglasses when you are outside to avoid damage from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can cause a large number of eye health problems as well as skin cancer on the sensitive skin around the eyes. Proper eye protection such as safety glasses, goggles and face shields should be worn when playing sports, doing house repairs and cleaning to prevent any damage from impact, sharp objects or chemicals. Smoking increases the risk for age-related macular degeneration so you should avoid it as well as spending extended periods of time in smoke-filled rooms.
Don't stare at computer screens for too long
In today's technology-fuelled world, the majority of people spend an increasing amount of time staring at some sort of electronic device, which causes eyestrain and can have long term consequences. Reduce the brightness of your computer/tablet/phone and try to avoid using them when it's not needed as much as possible, which will not only benefit your eyes, but your overall health as well. However, if you work in an office where you have to stare at a screen for 8+ hours a day, practice the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes stare at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will significantly reduce the strain on your eyes and you can further improve this method by taking a break and walking around the office as much and as often as circumstances allow, which is also a good way to include physical activity in an otherwise stationary job.
Scarlet is a passionate writer and regular contributor at highstylife.com interested in fashion, lifestyle, and health. She loves traveling, you could say that she is a real travel addict, especially when she has a chance to visit some exotic destinations. She would tell you that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.
