As you go about your daily life, you may not realize you often engage in habits that harm your vision over time. From excessive screen use to poor diet choices, many common practices can contribute to eye strain, dryness, and long-term damage. Your eyes work tirelessly every day, so here are some habits to avoid to keep your eyes healthy and working hard. 

1. Excessive Screen Time

Staring at computer, smartphone, or tablet screens for long periods of time can lead to digital eye strain. You don’t blink as much staring at a screen and your eyes also have to focus harder, leading to eye dryness, headaches, and blurry vision. 

Make sure to blink regularly to keep your eyes lubricated and follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

2. Not Wearing Sunglasses

UV rays from the sun can cause serious eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Everyone, including children, should wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection when outdoors to shield their eyes from harmful radiation. Polarized sunglasses are even better because they reduce glare, helping prevent eye strain and fatigue.

It’s important to wear sunglasses in good condition. Scratched sunglasses may not protect your eyes as well and could cause eye strain.

3. Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes frequently or aggressively can introduce dirt and bacteria, increasing the risk of infections. It can also cause tiny blood vessels to break, leading to redness and irritation. You also risk damaging your cornea and causing keratoconus, a condition where a cone-like bulge appears on the surface of your cornea. You can also worsen glaucoma if you suffer from the condition. 

4. Sleeping with Contact Lenses

If you sleep in your contacts, you reduce the oxygen flow to the cornea and let possible debris sit against it, increasing the risk of infections and complications like corneal ulcers. Always remove your contacts before bedtime unless they are specifically designed for extended wear.

5. Poor Diet Choices

A diet lacking in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E can affect eye health. Leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain good vision and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.

You should also make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your eyes moisturized and nourished. Dry eyes, red eyes, and puffy eyelids can all result from dehydration

6. Reading in Poor Lighting

Reading in dim lighting can strain your eyes and reduce your blinking, leading to fatigue, discomfort, and headaches. Ensure you have adequate lighting when reading or working to minimize stress on your vision.

7. Ignoring Dry Eyes

Ignoring symptoms of dry eyes, such as irritation or a gritty feeling, can lead to chronic discomfort. Use artificial tears, stay hydrated, and utilize a humidifier to maintain proper eye moisture. You can also apply a warm compress to your eyes to soothe irritation and promote tear production.

8. Sleeping With Makeup On 

If you make a habit of sleeping with your makeup on, you can irritate your eyes and increase the risk of eye infections, particularly stys, which are painful lumps that grow under your eyelash or eyelid. 

You should also regularly update your makeup — every three to four months — to prevent bacteria growth and decrease eye infection risk. 

9. Not Getting Enough Sleep

A lack of sleep can cause bloodshot eyes, dark circles, eye twitching, dry eyes, light sensitivity, swollen eyes, and blurry vision. It can also cause your eyes to look aged. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can also increase your risk of developing glaucoma. Make sure you get enough sleep every night and if you suffer from insomnia, consider visiting your doctor to discuss treatment options. 

10. Not Getting Regular Eye Exams

Skipping routine eye exams can lead to undiagnosed vision problems or eye conditions like glaucoma, which may not show symptoms early on. Regular check-ups ensure any issues are detected and treated promptly. If you suffer from dry eyes, make sure to use mild face soap to remove your eye makeup. 

Improve Your Daily Habits to Protect Your Eyes

Your eyes play a big role in your everyday life, so you should prioritize taking care of them. By avoiding habits that hurt and strain your eyes and adopting healthier practices, you can maintain better vision and reduce the risk of long-term damage. Protect your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow.