Eyesight Wrecking Habits

Eyesight Wrecking Habits- Money Talks News’ recent article entitled “6 Common Habits That Can Damage Your Vision” gives us some bad habits you should avoid to keep your vision safe.

1. Eating a poor diet. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids can lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and possibly dry-eye syndrome as you age. The academy recommends the following foods with a lot of vitamin C are oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, strawberries, tomatoes, red and green peppers and broccoli; healthy sources of vitamin E in foods like almonds, sunflower seeds, olive oil and avocadoes; and those with zinc, including legumes (beans and lentils), seeds, meat/seafood, dairy and eggs are all good sources of zinc. Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin — two nutrients naturally found in the retina — can also help the health of your eyes. Foods with these nutrients include leafy green vegetables as well as colorful fruits like raspberries, papaya, peaches and mangoes.
2. Rubbing your eyes. This can be more harmful than you might think. The bacteria on your fingers can create an infection in your eye. Frequent or vigorous rubbing can also damage your cornea. Rubbing the eyes is also a major contributor to a vision-damaging condition known as keratoconus, which involves a thinning and bulging of the cornea.
3. Looking at your smartphone. Staring too much at a smartphone without a rest can mean issues like dry eyes and blurred vision. Some research also suggests that too much screen time can lead to age-related macular degeneration. So, give your eyes a break. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends taking regular breaks using the “20-20-20”—every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.
4. Not wearing sunglasses. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your eyes severely. UVA rays can damage the macula at the back of your eye, which can affect the ability to see detail clearly. UVB rays can damage the front part of the eye, especially the cornea and lens. Sun damage can lead to conditions, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Use sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
5. Applying makeup incorrectly. Applying makeup to the eyelid margins — near where the lashes grow — can block oil glands and can result in dry eye and irritation. Using makeup near the waterline — where the eyelid meets the eye – can introduce harmful bacteria that might result in infection.
6. Sleeping without removing your contact lenses. Leaving your lenses in place doesn’t allow your corneas to breathe. As your eyes and contacts dry out, it’s possible you could damage your eyes simply by trying to remove the lenses when you get up. Sleeping with contact lenses still in place is also a common source of infection.

Eyesight Wrecking Habits- The Law Offices of Claude S. Smith, III

Reference: Money Talks News (Dec. 5, 2022) “6 Common Habits That Can Damage Your Vision”