Your eyesight is one of the most important senses to have. It allows you to intake information and learn, and it is taken for granted by lots of people on a daily basis.

You don’t get to choose how good your eyesight is. You either have really good 20/20 or more vision, or you wear glasses. Those who don’t have good vision and don’t wear glasses are just wasting the potential they have in their eyes. While there aren’t many  option for changing our eyesight, and it is known that it deteriorates with age and time, there are things you can not do, to preserve them for as long as possible and keep them healthy for when you get old.

Below is a list of 5 common mistakes people make, and don’t even know about half the time, that can damage your eyesight, especially in the long run.

Here are 5 activities that are bad for your eyesight:

1. Forgetting to Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just for fashion and looking fancy! They block UV rays from entering your eye, just make sure they are real UV blocking sunglasses and not just a tinted piece of glass or plastic. Most sunglasses will have a 99% UV blocking symbol when you buy them. UV rays can damage your retina and lead to eye conditions such as cataracts and abnormal growths. Sunglasses should be put on whenever you go outside, even in the winter, as light can reflect even brighter off the ground if there is snow.

2. Wearing Contact Lenses in Water

Wearing contact lenses when going swimming in a pool, ocean, or even taking a shower, can be disastrous. Bacteria can get trapped in between the lens and your eye, and can give you serious infections and even damage your vision. Always remember to take out your contact lenses when hopping in for a quick shower or going to the local swimming pool.

3. Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes with your hands is a perfect way for bacteria to enter it. Think about where your hands have been and what they’ve touched, and when you rub your eye, its almost like putting your hands into your mouth. Germs and dirt can spread and can be responsible for things like pink eye. If your eye is itchy try blinking rapidly so that your natural tears wash it away. Rubbing it can dig in germs even further, and if blinking still doesn’t work, try flushing it out with an eye drop.

4. Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over the age of 50. Smoking can lead to developing cataracts faster, and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is when a small spot on your retina that is responsible for focus and sharpness starts to deteriorate. This ultimately leads to vision loss, and smoking doubles your risk of developing macular degeneration.

5. Visiting the Optometrist

Visiting the optometrist should be a regular activity, at least once every year. Even if you are under the assumption your vision is perfect, you still need to see your eye doctor. You might be unnecessarily straining or squinting your eyes, or might be developing something that you don’t feel or see yet. The sad truth is that most people seek help for their eyes once they already start to experience vision loss, or some sort of pain or discomfort. Yearly visits will prevent this, as early detection of eye problems can make a big difference in preserving your vision.

 

About Eyeconcept

Eyeconcept in Oakville offers eye care services such as eye exams, children eye exams & contact lens. Eyeconcept will also help you protect your vision and to put your best look forward with our designer frames and sunglasses.

Book your eye exam with our optometrist at Eyeconcept Oakville and visit us in store to find the perfect pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses.

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