Daily Habits That May Be Harming Your Eye Health

Woman rubbing eyes

How Your Daily Habits Could Be Harming Your Eyes

Using old makeup, forgetting to wear your sunglasses, or even rubbing your eyes could increase your risk of developing an eye injury, disease, or infection. Fortunately, it's easy to avoid many types of eye problems by making a few changes to your usual routine. Your risk of eye issues could be higher if you do any of these things.

Rub Your Eyes

Like most people, you probably rub your eyes without even thinking about it when you're tired or your eyes feel a little uncomfortable. Rubbing your eyes may seem like a harmless habit but can cause several eye issues, including:

  • Corneal Abrasions. These painful scratches develop on the cornea, the clear layer of tissue that covers your iris and pupil. You may be more likely to develop a corneal abrasion if there's a small piece of dust or debris in your eye when you rub it.
  • Dark Circles Under Your Eyes. Vigorous rubbing may break small blood vessels under your eyes, causing the skin to look darker. Rubbing may also cause puffiness and wrinkles.
  • Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a condition that occurs when your cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped. The condition distorts your vision and makes it hard to see clearly. Rubbing your eyes, particularly if you use your knuckles, may raise your risk of keratoconus, according to a French research study that appeared in the February 2020 issue of Cornea.

Touch Your Eyes Without Washing Your Hands

Washing your hands before touching your eyes is an easy way to avoid eye infections caused by bacteria, viruses, dirt, and other substances. Handwashing can also keep you healthier. Many viruses, including influenza, enter the body through the eyes and other mucus membranes.

It's particularly important to wash your hands before you put in or take out your contact lenses. If you handle your lenses with dirty hands, you might develop a severe infection that could cause permanent vision issues.

Leave Your Sunglasses at Home

Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light year-round. Exposure to UV light increases your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, cancer, and growths on your eyes. When you shop for sunglasses, read labels before you make your purchase. Sunglasses that offer 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays are the best choice.

Don't Wear Safety Glasses

Safety glasses protect your eyes on the job and at home. Wearing the glasses keeps chemicals, and slivers of wood, metal, glass, and other materials from damaging your eyes. Wear the glasses any time you work with dangerous chemicals or use machinery, including saws, sanders, drills, and lawnmowers.

Never Clean Makeup Brushes or Use Old Makeup

Your makeup habits may be the reason you develop a painful eye infection. Protect your vision by:

  • Cleaning Brushes and Applicators at Least Once a Week
  • Disposing of Eye Makeup After Three Months
  • Throwing Out Eye Makeup if You've Had an Eye infection
  • Avoiding Applying Eye Makeup in a Moving Vehicle
  • Not Sharing Eye Makeup

Changing the way you apply eyeliner may also help you keep your eyes healthy. University of Waterloo researchers discovered that eyeliner migrated into the tear film of the eye much more quickly when it was applied to the inner part of the eyelid. Eyeliner can cause redness, discomfort sensitivity, and eye infections if it enters the tear film. The product can also build up on contact lenses, making them feel uncomfortable.

Spend Too Much Time Viewing Digital Screens

Dry eye, eyestrain, blurred vision, and headaches can occur if you don't take breaks from your digital screens periodically. The American Optometric Association recommends following the 20/20/20 rule to improve eye comfort. After viewing a screen for 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet in the distance for at least 20 seconds.

If you've been working steadily for two or three hours, take a half-hour break that doesn't involve screens of any kind. Adding anti-glare filters and screens to devices and wearing computer glasses that block blue light can also be helpful.

Improving your daily habits and visiting the optometrist for checkups can help you protect your eye health. Has it been a while since you've had an eye exam? Contact our office to schedule your appointment.

Sources:

PubMed: Cornea: A Case-Control Study of Keratoconus Risk Factors, 6/20

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Corneal Abrasion and Erosion, 9/17/20

American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome

University of Waterloo: Study Finds Eyeliner Application May Cause Eye Problems, 4/1/15

American Academy of Ophthalmology: The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes, Jun. 11, 2020

Contact us to request an appointment today.

New Patients receive 15% OFF Second Pair of Complete Glasses!

Testimonials

  • We love supporting our local businesses. Dave Nelson is such an asset to our community. He took the extra time needed to be completely thorough with some issues I was having. I love that he looked at my complete health before coming to a conclusion for my needs. We love the customer service from beginning to end. I put complete trust in Lee Ann to pick out some frame choices for me, listening to my wants and needs. She delivered and I am so excited to get them next week. Thank you so much!

    ...
    Show More - C.D.
  • I was extremely pleased with the complete and thorough eye examination I received. Dr. Nelson took a great deal of time explaining his findings so that I understood them. He then laid out a plan for us to follow for the future of my eye health.

    - D.D.
  • I'm impressed with all of the technology. Great service. Thank you!

    - J.O
  • This was the best experience I have had with an eye doctor. I felt like Dr. Nelson actually listened to how my eye sight was affecting my daily routine and properly diagnose my vision correction needs.

    - A.K.
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Nelson for many years and he is absolutely amazing. I am grateful that he uses state-of-the-art tools to measure changes in my eye health. His advice is spot on for caring for my eyes and his prices make it affordable to do so. I highly recommend you schedule your next appointment here

    ...
    Show More - J.B.
  • Exam and discussion of the results were excellent. Dr. Nelson is kind, considerate, and open to any discussion about your eyes. The pictures from the exam were amazing and Dr. Nelson explained everything that was going on with the exam and pictures. Frame and lens selection are outstanding as is the work of the staff in helping to pick out what I wanted. And those sunglasses...oh my...I love them! Great work Dr. Nelson and staff!

    ...
    Show More - T.C.
  • This was the most thorough exam I've ever had and I've had many. Dr. Nelson understood my challenges and I felt confident in his care. Great experience. Thank you

    - L.F.
  • Efficient and courteous service with a sense of belonging to a family. I have had to wear prescription lenses for most of my life. Never, has anyone ever taken the time to explain what happens to our eyes as we age, why and HOW we see floaters (and with the latest technology used in Dr. Nelson's office - to show you these things and so much more.) and other retinal issues if they exist. The latest technology used in Dr. Nelson's office is non-invasive and amazing to literally see the inside of y

    ...
    Show More - P.L.
  • I've seen Dr. Nelson for many years for my eye care before he opened the new practice in Cottage Grove. I appreciate how very thorough he is and how he takes the time to explain any changes in my vision etc. He and his staff are always very kind and friendly and they go the extra mile to help! I liked that Cottage Grove Eye Care was really easy to find...and I like the space and the fact that they have a large selection of cool frames. Would highly recommend it. Nice to have someone you can trus

    ...
    Show More - H.S.
  • I went to Cottage Grove Eye Care for the first time last year and purchased both glasses and contacts. This is the first year that I have consistently worn both the glasses and contacts and didn't experience any issues with either. I always feel much educated about my eye health when I leave in a way that I never was at other eye clinics

    ...
    Show More - E.W.
  • Friendly, professional, very thorough.

    - T.S.

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

Monday

10:00 am

7:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am

3:00 pm

Thursday

10:00 am

7:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am

1:00 pm

Saturday

By Appointment Only

Sunday

Closed

Monday
10:00 am 7:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am 3:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am 7:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am 1:00 pm
Saturday
By Appointment Only
Sunday
Closed