These 12 habits are harmful to the eyes

 These 12 habits are harmful to the eyes

The health of the eyes and how their vision lasts throughout life is linked to many factors. The most important of them is a person's lifestyle and daily habits.

The main reason why many people develop eye problems such as dryness, infection, poor vision, cataracts, macular degeneration, etc. is their own wrong daily habits.

These habits gradually damage the sensitive tissues of the eyes, the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, and can cause irreversible problems in the long run.

1. Rubbing the eyes

Rubbing the eyes is normal when they feel a little itchy or tired. But this is a very harmful habit. Rubbing can rupture the blood vessels in the outer skin of the eyes, which can cause dark circles, swelling, and wrinkles. If there is dust or any particles in the eyes, rubbing can injure the cornea. If this habit continues for a long time, the risk of keratoconus increases.

This can cause blurred vision, increased need for glasses, discomfort in light, and an increased risk of infection. If your eyes are itchy, you should wash them with clean water or use medication as recommended by your doctor.

2. Not getting enough sleep

If you don't get 7-8 hours of sleep at night, the eye muscles don't get enough rest. This can cause eye strain, pain, dryness, itching, swelling, and blurred vision. Lack of sleep reduces blood flow.

Swelling increases and disrupts a person's biological clock. Therefore, you should make it a habit to sleep at a regular time and reduce screen time at night.

3. Drinking less water

There are dozens of health problems that occur when the amount of water in the body is low. One of them is eye problems. If there is a lack of water, the natural tear production of the eyes decreases, which causes dryness, itching, redness, and blurred vision.

Long-term dehydration can cause swelling on the surface of the eyes. To avoid dehydration, you should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

4. Not eating a healthy diet

High fat, sugar, sodium and processed foods increase inflammation in the body and prevent oxygen and nutrients from reaching the retina. This weakens vision and increases the problem of eye irritation.

Deficiency of vitamins A, C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Eat foods that are beneficial for the eyes like spinach, carrots, oranges, fish, almonds regularly.

5. Smoking

Smoking impairs blood flow, increases oxidative stress and increases toxins. According to studies, the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eyes and diabetic retinopathy doubles in smokers. To avoid these problems, smoking should be completely stopped.

6. Excessive screen time

Looking at mobile phones, laptops, and TVs for a long time reduces the blink rate by up to 60 percent. This reduces eye lubrication and causes digital eye strain. Dryness, itching, headaches, and blurred vision can occur. Looking at your phone in the dark at night can also disrupt your sleep. To avoid the effects of excessive screen time, you should follow the 20-20-20 rule. Look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Use a blue light filter.

7. Not protecting your eyes from UV rays

Not wearing sunglasses can damage the cornea, lens, and retina. This increases the risk of cataracts, pterygium, photokeratitis, and eye cancer. Even on cloudy days, UV rays reach up to 80 percent. Therefore, you should wear sunglasses that block 100 percent UVA and UVB. Whether it's sunny or not.

8. Not taking precautions related to contact lenses

Sleeping with lenses, not cleaning them, using the same lens for a long time, not removing them while swimming or showering, using cheap fake lenses without prescription, and putting them on without washing your hands, etc., introduce harmful microorganisms into the eyes.

This can lead to corneal ulcers, keratitis, infections, and vision loss. Contact lenses should be used only as directed by a doctor and the lenses should be cleaned daily.

9. Using expired makeup and sleeping with makeup

Using expired mascara, eyeliner, etc. can increase bacteria and spread infections. When you sleep with makeup on, makeup particles can stain the cornea or enter the eyes, which can cause long-term allergies and infections.

Therefore, such materials should not be used. Even if you use them, you should clean your face thoroughly before going to bed.

10. Using eye drops for a long time

Many people buy eye drops themselves and use them regularly. But it is not good to do this for a long time. It can negatively affect the process of forming the natural lubrication layer of the eye.

The doctor prescribes eye drops only for a certain period of time after examining the problem. Strict adherence to this is best for eye health.

11. Not having regular eye exams

Most eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration do not show symptoms at first. If you do not have regular exams after the age of 40, the problem will be detected late and treatment will be difficult.

Therefore, after the age of 40, people at risk should get checked every year and once every 6 months.

12. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure not under control

Uncontrolled diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure increase the risk of retinopathy. Regular medication and exams should be done.