Our eyesight is one of our most important senses – they allow us to visually experience the world, gaze upon our loved ones, and perform daily tasks. Unfortunately, we all have bad habits in our lives, and some of these can contribute to eye problems that can hinder our ability to see. Here at Marano Eye Care, we have identified 5 habits that are hurting your eyes.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be extremely harmful to the overall health of your eyes. Besides from causing dry eyes, prolonged time out in the sun can lead to cataracts or skin cancer on your eyelids. Therefore, it is important to wear sunglasses that offer full protection from both UVA and UVB light. Check out our article on how to choose sunglasses to help you find the best pair and protect your eyes from the sun!
Your diet can affect many facets of your health, and its effect on your eyes is one of them. The blood vessels in our eyeballs are tiny enough that any fat deposits could block them, leading to further eye problems. Knowing this, you should try and eliminate fatty junk foods from your diet, and replace it with foods that will help your eyesight instead. Foods that are especially high in Vitamin C can contribute a lot to the health of your eyes – since Vitamin C is responsible for repairing and regenerating all body tissues.
Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In addition to increasing your risk for heart disease, strokes, and cancer, smoking can more than double your risk for macular degeneration, a common (but lesser known) eye disease that blurs your vision and inhibits your ability to read and recognize objects in front of you. If you currently smoke, please consider quitting for the benefit of both your eyes and your overall health.
In today’s world, it may be hard to disconnect yourself from your laptop or phone screen, but the blue light from the screens can cause significant distress and exhaustion to your eyes. Like sunlight, too much exposure to your computer screen’s light can cause dry eye syndrome and strain your eyes. Marano Eye Care recommends the 20/20 rule: every 20 minutes you take a break and look away from your screen for about 20 seconds. It is also possible to purchase special eyeglass lenses that block blue light.
Getting enough sleep is hard for the average American – you hold a fulltime job, have to socialize with your friends, and take care of your family. All of these responsibilities can cut into your precious sleeping time. However, sleep is extremely important for your eyesight – it gives your eyes the chance to rest, heal, and rejuvenate for the next day. Sleep deprivation can lead to everything from bloodshot, tired dry eyes, and glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition where your optic nerve is blocked and can lead to vision loss and possible blindness. For these reasons, do your best to catch enough sleep in order to protect your eyes!
It may be hard to break bad habits but doing so can help your eyesight for years to come. Visit Marano Eye Care, where our eye doctors have vast experiences in treating all kinds of eye conditions. We offer friendly consultations on how best to preserve your eyesight, along with treatment plans for any problem you may have. Contact us today with any questions and concerns you may have about your eyes.
