While environment, age, and genetics all play a role in eye health, there are ways for you to maintain your healthy eyes for longer. One of the most obvious habits for you to get into right away is seeing a local Fresno optometrist at least once a year. Even if you don’t have contacts or need corrective lenses, an annual eye exam from an experienced eye doctor could help you catch and resolve small issues before they become permanent problems.
Remember Eye Health
One of the best ways to maintain your eye health is to be conscious of it. Pay attention to how your eyes feel and see, as much as you pay attention to how your body feels. If this start changing, see an optometrist right away.
Don’t Forget Your Contacts
Putting in dirty contacts, putting in clean contacts with dirty hands, or sleeping in your contacts overnight can all harm your eyes. When you put in dirty contacts (or clean contacts with dirty hands), you are placing germs and dirt directly into your eyes, which can lead to infection. Learn more about the best ways to clean contacts.
When you sleep in your contacts, you are preventing your cornea from receiving the nutrients and lubrication it needs to stay healthy and moist, which is why you wake up the next morning with dry, red, scratchy eyes.
Deal with Technology the Right Way
We understand, you probably need the computer for work. However, staring at a screen all day and then coming home to do the same as your peruse social media and your texts can devastate your eyes. Try to avoid technology an hour after work and an hour before bed, and follow these tips for protecting your eyes when you are at work.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
We rub our eyes constantly. Whether it’s when we first wake up in the morning, out of frustration, when they itch, when there is something in them, or when they are tired, rubbing our eyes is a natural response. However, rubbing our eyes releases histamine, which makes our eyes itch even more. If there is a foreign object in your eyes, rubbing them can cause painful scratches on the inside of your eye. If your hands are dirty when you rub your eyes, you are opening them up to bacteria and infection. Lastly, vigorous rubbing can actually increase your chances of developing astigmatism.
Find out how to find relief from itchy eyes, without rubbing.
Remember Your Shades
Just like sunscreen is important to protect your skin against serious burns and cancer, sunglasses are important to prevent light-related damage to your eyes such as macular degeneration, cancer, cataracts, and more. Learn more about the benefits of wearing sunglasses, and pick up a pair today.
Keep Your Makeup Fresh
Your makeup is full of germs, particularly eye makeup such as eyeliner and mascara, but even your brushes carry bacteria. Old eye makeup should be replaced every four to six months, and any time you have an eye infection, and wash your brushes with soap and water at least once a month.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet full of color is absolutely essential to maintaining a healthy body, and this includes your eyes. Fill your plate with vegetables and fruits with deep pigments, such as carrots, tomatoes, kale, spinach, strawberries, and more.
As always, your optometrist will know how to help you care for your eyes best, so stop by or call our Fresno Signature Optometry location today.