We depend on our eyesight for all sorts of activities, from the moment we wake up until we finally go to sleep at night. Many of us hardly give our eyes a second thought until we notice vision problems.
Unfortunately, vision loss is a common problem for millions of Americans, affecting their quality of life and interfering with even the simplest of activities. The good news is that many vision problems can be managed with proper treatment, and some can be prevented by avoiding unhealthy habits.
The team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts helps patients of all ages enjoy better vision and healthier eyes with comprehensive eye exams and lifestyle guidance tailored to each person’s unique needs. Here, learn about six common habits that could be damaging your eyes.
Everybody knows smoking is bad for the heart and lungs, but it’s bad for your eyes and vision, too. In fact, if you smoke, you’re at greater risk for developing vision problems like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), dry eye syndrome, and optic nerve problems.
Smoking damages your blood vessels, including the tiny vessels that supply your eyes with oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood. Smoking also leads to inflammation, another contributing factor for many types of eye diseases and vision problems.
Most of us know how important it is to use sunscreen regularly to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. But it’s also important to protect your eyes — and that’s where sunglasses can help.
UV exposure increases the risk of photokeratitis, a “sunburn-like” condition that irritates and damages the clear cornea on the front of your eye. Over time, leaving your eyes unprotected increases your risks of other eye problems, like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Many people at work and during their off hours stare at a lighted screen for hours every day. While this habit can be entertaining, it can quickly lead to eye strain, blurry vision, headaches, dry eyes, and irritation.
Cutting back on screen time is ideal, but if you can’t bring yourself to completely break this habit, you can at least counteract it by following the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break to look at an object 20 feet away. This simple exercise can reduce muscle strain and allow your eyes to recover.
Contact lenses are a convenient option for anyone who doesn’t want to be tied down to eyeglasses, but as popular as they are, they still carry risks. With the possible exception of some extended-wear lenses, contact lenses should always be removed at bedtime to prevent serious eye issues, like irritation or infections that can lead to permanent vision loss.
It’s also important to note that extended-wear lenses can increase your risks of irritation and infection if they’re not cared for properly. Bottom line: Review your wear and care instructions with the doctor thoroughly and follow them precisely to prevent lens-related problems.
When your eyes are dry, irritated, or tired, it’s tempting to rub them to find a little relief. But rubbing your eyes can irritate or even damage your cornea, leading to permanent vision problems. Worse, too much rubbing can cause keratoconus, a condition associated with thin, steep corneas and permanent blurry vision.
If you have dry, irritated, or itchy eyes, a better solution is to visit our office to find out why they are bothered. We can prescribe a solution that relieves your symptoms so you won’t be tempted to rub.
Regular eye exams play a critical role in keeping your eyes healthy, but unfortunately, many people skip their exams, especially if they’re not experiencing significant vision issues. Many vision problems cause few symptoms in their early stages or even no symptoms at all. Delaying care means these problems can worsen undetected, allowing them to reach a more critical stage when they’re harder to treat.
Regular exams let us diagnose issues like glaucoma, cataracts, AMD, and other conditions as early as possible before permanent vision loss occurs. During your appointment, we can give you more tips tailored to your lifestyle, helping you play a more proactive role in maintaining your vision and eye health as you age.
Give your eyes the care they need to provide you with a lifetime of healthy vision. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
