We depend on our eyes for so many of our daily activities. Vision is one of the main reasons why we can function easily throughout the day.
Many of a person’s eyesight concerns are related to aging. As you grow older, your eyesight slowly deteriorates as a normal progression of life. There are, however, certain poor lifestyle practices that may be accelerating the process for you.
These mistakes may not even seem consequential at first. But it pays to know just what you are gambling when you don’t take steps to take care of your eyes.
Bad Habits to Change Immediately
1. Regular Exposure to Harsh Light
If you use strong fluorescent lights in your home and at the office, then you are likely no stranger to eye irritations such as itching and dryness. Harsh lighting strains your eyes and may even cause eyesight to blur temporarily. These can also aggravate migraines for some due to photosensitivity.
But home and office are not the only places where your eyes can experience strain. Just like residential lighting, hospital lighting also plays a role in dictating people’s mood and comfort. When visiting the doctor, do not hesitate to inquire if they use medical and surgical lighting that employs eye-friendly technology, especially if you already suffer from an eye condition.
In places where you have control over lighting conditions, install adjustable light fixtures to provide the proper lighting for every time of day. The key is not to go too bright or too dim, as both of these will force your eyes to compensate and more rapidly feel fatigued.
2. Using Expired Makeup
Makeup expiration dates are not a mere suggestion. Expired makeup will not be in its best condition in that it will not be as vibrant and might have already changed in consistency. They may even have harmful bacteria that could irritate your skin and cause rashes or acne.
Eye makeup should not be used past expiration because the area around the eyes is delicate, increasing the risk of infection. If you use mascara and eyeliner, keep them for only up to six months once opened. Powder makeup, on the other hand, will usually be safe for use for approximately a year and a half.
3. Not Wearing 
Whatever the season, your eyes are vulnerable to damage from exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Effects on the eyes can range from spots to cataracts and burns on the cornea. Lack of protection can also increase the risk of eye cancer.
Aside from being a fashion statement, the right pair of sunglasses work hard to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Ensure that your shades block out the UVA and UVB rays of the sun to ensure optimum protection.
4. Using Contact Lenses Carelessly
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one million of the U.S.’s annual visits to the doctor are due to keratitis. This is an eye infection frequently associated with the improper use of contact lenses.
Two common practices that increase the risk of infection are wearing contact lenses longer than prescribed and sleeping in them. Using liquids that are not disinfecting solutions to clean lenses also leaves unwanted germs.
Consult your eye doctor to know the correct practices for your prescription contact lenses. Take note of your eye drops and solution’s expiration dates, and never use a product beyond its expiration date.
5. Too Much Screen Time
Contrary to popular belief, blue light is not harmful to the eyes. However, excessive exposure to light-emitting diodes (LED), which are used in the screens of most devices, strains the eyes and interrupts circadian rhythms.
Adjust your screens’ brightness depending on the time of day to reduce the possibility of eye strain. Make use of blue light filters, too, to prevent disruptions in your biological clock.
6. Not Having Regular Eye Checkups
The practice of only going to the doctor when you are experiencing discomfort has to change. Many do not recognize how long they have been suffering from eye conditions until they come in for a checkup.
Having regular eye consultations, especially while you are still young, minimizes the risk of getting infections. Early detection of eye conditions also hastens the journey to recovery.
Little bad habits can build up to have an irreversible effect on your vision in the future. While there is still time to care for your eyes, adopt healthier practices to protect your eyesight. Remember: prevention is always better than cure, and especially so with your eyes.
